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ON       THE 

NATURAL  EQUALITY  OF  MEN; 

ON  THE  RIGHTS  THAT  RESULT  FROM  IT, 

AND   ON  THE   DUTIES    WHICH   IT  IMPOSES. 

TO    V/HICH     A     SILVER  MEDAL    WAS    ADJUDGED  BY  THF. 
TEyLERljj£l<^,»OCIET;|r  AT   HAARLEM,  APRIL    1792' 

.<■<•<••<  <!►>■.>•►->•• 
CORRECTED  and  ENLARGED. 


BY  WILLIAM  LAWRENCE  BROWN,  D.  D, 

PROFESSOR  OF  MORAL  PHILOSOPHY,  AND    THE 

LAW   OF  NATURE,  AND  OF  ECCLF-SI ASTfCAL 

HISTORY  J       AND     MINISTER      OF     THE 

ENGLISH     CHURCH    AT     UTREGKT. 

THE  SECOND  AMERICAN  EDITIOi;. 


—A''  E  IV  J  R  K— 

rRINTED  AND  PUBLISHED  BY  JOHM  WAIJ.T?. 


802. 


i 


THE 

WILLIAM  R.  PERKINS 

LIBRARY 

OF 

DUKE  UNIVERSITY 


W 


Rare  Books 


PREFACE. 


WHOEVER  has  attentively  confidered  the  ferles 
of  queftions  propofed  for  public  difcuffion  by 
the  Teylerian  Society,  will  acknowledge  that  they 
have  ufually  had  the  peculiar  advantage  of  uniting 
curious  inveftigation  with  general  utility.  But,  of 
all  the  queilions  propofed  by  this,  or  by  any  literary 
fociety  whatever,  none  appears  either  of  greater  con- 
fequencein  itfelf,  or  from  the  complexion  of  the  times, 
more  likely  to  excite  attention,  than  that  which  is  nov/ 
offered  by  this  refpe<5lable  body,  as  the  fubje<5t  of  com- 
petition for  the  literary  honor  which  they  annually 
confer.  It  direfily  leads  to  examine  the  principal 
foundations  of  civil  fociety,  to  unfold  the  chief  obliga- 
tionsof  all  focial  duties,  to  eftablilh  the  important  ad- 
vantages of  fubordination,  on  the  one  hand,  and,  on 
the  other,  to  guard  againft  the  dreadful  and  odious 
confequcnces  both  of  defpotifm  and  of  anarchy.  Such 
are  the  momentous  confiderations  neceffarily  conneded 
with  the  proper  difcuflion  of  this  queftion  ;  the  pro- 
pofal  of  which  does  equal  honor  to  the  difcernment 
and  public  fpirit  of  the  worthy  directors  of  the  Tey- 
lerian inftitution.  Happy  may  the  perfon  account 
himfelf,  and  juftly  will  he  be  entitled  to  the  thanks  of 
his  fellow  men,  who  fhall  be  enabled  to  treat  this  fub- 
jeft  in  any  manner  adequate  to  its  real  confequence  and 
dignity.  Far,  indeed,  is  the  writer  of  this  Eilay  from 
prefuming  to  lay  claim  to  this  praifc,  but  he  feels  his 
heart  impreiTed  by  the  importance  of  the  fubjeft,  and 
animated  with  a  warm  defire  of  contributing  to  the 
public  good  that  portion  which  his  fmall  abilities  may 


permit.     Ever  fmce  he  was  capable   of  any   rational 

refiedtion,  he  has  found  his  foul  aftuated   by  the  facred 

iJame  of  Liberty,  by  an  abhorrence  of  oppreffion,  and 

by  that  love  of  juftice  which  didates   an  equal   enjoy- 

ii.ent  of  all  the  rights  of  human  nature.      The  grand 

r>rinciple  of  the  natural  equaHty  of  men,  if  rightly   un- 

Ivillocd,  is  the  only  bafis  on    which   univerfal  juftice, 

vider,  and  freedom,  can  be  firmly    built,  and   perma- 

:;ridy  iecured.     1  he  view  exhibited  in  this  ElTay,  Co 

if  from  loofening  the  bands  offocifty,  or    weakening 

i^atfubordination,  without  which  no  government  can 

ubfiit,  will  draw    more,  clofely  every  focial  tie,   and 

.here  ftrongly  confirm  the  obligations  of  legal  obedi- 

xice,  and  the  rights  of  legal  authority. 

The  writer  is  fuiHcIently  aware  that  the  principles 
which  he  attempts  to  unfold,  will  not  be  agreeable 
either  to  the  wild  enthufiafts  for  liberty,  or  to  the  fer- 
viie  and  tyrannical  abettors  of  arbitrary  power.  That 
m.oderation,  which  flows  from  the  love  and  the  per- 
ception of  truth  (which  commonly  lies  between  two 
extremes)  is  feldom  acceptable  to  the  multitude,  who, 
incqpableof  diflinguifning  the  ufe  from  the  abufe  of 
things,  are  generally  as  extravagant  and  impetuous  in 
the  maintenance  of  right,  as  in  the  abetment  of  wrong. 
It  is  only  the  few,  who  have  fliaken  off  the  fhackles  of 
prejudice,  difpelled  the  clouds  of  paflion,  and  burft 
from  the  dungeon  in  which  they  confine  the  foul,  that 
can  view  and  reiiih  obje^fts  as  they  appear  in  the  pure 
and  fteady  light  in  .vhich  nature  exhibits  them.  The 
eyes  of  the  reft  of  mankind  are  either  too  weak  to  fuf- 
tainits  luilre,  or,  if  they  have  beheld  it  for  fome  time, 
become  fo  much  dazzled  as  to  lofe  fight  of  the  ob- 
jedls  which   it  is  dcfigned  to  unfold  to  them,  and  arc 


PREFACE.  V 

thus  deprived  of  that  dire<rnon  in  eondudl  which  it 
ought  to  afFord.  Of  the  truth  of  this  alfertion,  the 
times  in  which  we  live  furnifli  abundant  and  melan- 
choly examples. 

Since  the  generality  of  mankind,  then,  'will  ever  be  in 
extremes,  and  the  wiferfew,  if  they  keep  themfelves  free 
from  the  contagion  of  popular  prejudice  and  paffion, 
will,  from  this  very   circumftance,  feldom  acquire  any 
great  influence  over  the  general  condud ;  it  may   be 
aHced,  of   what  ufe  can  fuch  writings  be,   which  the 
multitude  will  either  not  read,  or  not  apply  to   profit, 
and  the  more  intelligent  do  not  require  ?  To  this  quef- 
tion  the  anfwer  is  obvious  : — that  the  progrefs  of  truth 
is  furc,  though  flow  ;  that,  if  every  perfon    of  difcern- 
ment  and  moderation  would  confider  it   as  his  duty    to 
communicate,  as  far  as  his  fphere  niay  extend,  the  light 
he  himfelf  has  acquired,  a  great  deal  of  good  might  at 
Ua  be  accomphfiied  ;  and  that    to   contribute    acf 
portion,  however  fmall,  to  the  common  benefit,  is  both 
a  fufficient  motive  and  a  fufficient  reward  to  a  benefo- 
lent  and  generous  mind.     The  human  foul  is  formed 
for  truth  and  virtue.     Error,  prejudice,  and  depravity, 
are  unnatural  ftates.     Superftition   and   bigotry,     po- 
pular frenzy,    or  defpotic  oppreffion,  never  can  be  dei- 
tined  by  the  Supreme  Diredor  of  the  world  to  hold  a 
perpetual  reign,  becaufe  they  countera<5l    his  wife   and 
benevolent  defigns.     The  pafHons,  and  the  confequent 
agitations  which  they  excite,  as  they  are    violent,  can 
n'-ver  be  lading,  and>  from  their  very  violence   itfelf, 
tend,  by  a  fpecies  of  fermentation,    to  throve  off  the 
dregs  of  ignorance  and  folly,  which  obftrud  the  im- 
provement of  our  fpecies.     Thefe  convulfions  may  be 
compared  to  texnpclls  and  hurricanes  which  overcaft 


fi  ?R£FACE. 

tl>e  flcy  Willi  a  temporary  gloom,  and  often  occafion  the 
mod  dreadful  calamities  ;  but.  in  the  end,  refine  the 
atmofphere,  and  preferve  its  falubritv.  It  Is  more  na- 
tural to  fuppofe  that  the  progrefs  of  the  world  is  to- 
wards improvement  and  perfeflion,  than,  as  gloomy 
but  contrafisd  minds  are  apt  to  fancy,  towards  de- 
generacy and  ruin.  Even  the  final  deftrudion  of  this 
globe,  which  Scripture  teaches  us  to  expect,  will  only 
ferve  to  introduce  a  more  perfect  and  glorious  fcene. 
The  times  in  which  we  live,  though  agitated  with  vio- 
lent convuhions,  and  marked  by  ftriking  events,  are 
peculiarly  favorable  to  rational  inquiry  and  to  fubftan- 
tial  improvement.  On  the  public  afi'airs  of  the  world, 
it  has  often  been  faid,  that  the  fpeculations  of  philofo- 
phers  in  their  clofets  have  but  httle  influence.  But 
fuch  an  opinion  can  be  adopted  by  thofe  only  who  arc 
as  great  ftrangers  to  experience  as  they  are  to  fpecula- 
tion.  The  condud  of  men  is  commonly  direded  by 
their  ©pinions.  Their  opinions  are  formed  by  their 
principles  ;  their  principles,  by  the  inftrudion  which 
they  receive,  by  the  books  which  they  read,  by  the  com- 
pany which  they  frequent.  Hence  it  is  eafy  to  fee 
hcAv  far  the  public  opinions  and  condud  muft,  in  a  lite- 
rary age,  be  affedted  by  the  writings  that  appear  in  it. 
If  thefe  are  didated  by  foundnefs  of  judgment,  and 
benignity  of  heart,  they  cannot  fail  «f  producing  much 
benefit. 

The  time,  therefore,  and  pains  employed  in  fpecula- 
tions, fuch  as  are  fuggefted  by  the  important  queftion  I 
now  propofe  to  difcufs,  cannot  be  miflpent,  if  the  fub- 
je<5tis  treated  with  any  tolerable  degree  of  accuracy  and 
precifion.  Even  thofe  who  fail  of  fuccefs  may  dill 
cUim  the  honor  of  a  laudable  attempt ;  and  from  mea 


fREFACK.  V« 

of  fuch  judgment  and  candour  as  chara(5lerlfe  ihofe  to 
whom  I  have  the  honor  cf  addrefling  this  difcourfe,  are 
fure  of  obtaining  it.  Without  detaining  the  attention 
of  my  candid  readers  any  longer  from  the  immediate 
confiJeration  of  the  queftion  now  before  them,  I  /hall 
direclly  proceed  to  examine  it.  As  it  ftands  propofed 
by  the  Society,  it  divides  itfelf  into  three  parts  ; 

I.  In  what  refpe<ris  may  men  be  faid  to  be  equal  ? 

II.  What  are  the  rights  refulting  from  this  equality  ? 

III.  What  are  the  duties  which  it  impofes  ? 


AN 

E   S   S  A  Y,  &c. 

BOOK    I. 

In  fwhat  Se?ife  may  all  Men   he  [aid  to  he  Equal  ? 


CHAPTER     I. 
0/*  NATURAL   DIVERSITIES  i«;«£>;?^  Me Jf. 

THAT  all  men  are,  by  nature,  equal,  is  an  opi- 
nion fo  generally  received  among  thofe  who  are 
accuftomed  to  any  degree  of  philofophical  reflexion, 
that  to  call  it  in  queftion  might  appear  abfurd,  and  to 
prove  it  fuperfluous.  Yet,  this  opinion,  like  many  ge- 
neral maxims  which  obtain  a  currency  in  the  world 
however  true  it  may  be,  in  its  proper  fenfe,  is  not,  j. 
am  inclined  to  believe,  of  the  greateft  part,  fufficiertly 
founded  according  to  the  acceptation  of  thofe  who 
admit  it.  If  it  is  underftood  in  any  fenfe,  exclufive  of 
all  natural  fuperiority  and  diftindlion  among  men,  it 
will  be  found  to  contraditft  univerfal  esperience.  At 
whatever  period  of  human  life,  in  whatever  ftate  or 
condition  of  fociety,  we  contemplate  our  fpecies,  we 
(hall  find  that  nature  has  diftinguiftied  individuals 
from  each  other,  by  peculiar  and  appropriate  quali- 
ties, almoft  as  remarkably,  in  fome  inftances,  as  ihc 
has  diftinguiflied  the  human  race  from  the  inferior 
creatures.     Thcfe  philofophers,  who,  in  order  to   ex- 


AN  ESSAY,  kc 


alt  thcmfelves,  attempt  to  degrade  their  fpccles,  and 
difplay  their  eloquence  by  defending  the  mod  irration- 
al paradoieSj  aie  eager  to  perfuade  us,  that,  as  human 
nature,  in  its  original  (late,  is  on  a  level  with  tlic 
brutes,  fo  individuals  among  mankind  derive  every 
ditTerence  of  corporeal  and  mental  perfecflion  that 
charaderizes  them,  wholly  from  the  opportunities  of 
improvement  which  they  have  enjoyed,  or  from  the  hap- 
py fituations  in  which  they  have  been  placed.  Contra- 
dialing  univerfal  experience,  they  drive  to  refer  the 
judgments  which  it  eftablifhes,  to  the  clafs  of  popular 
prejudices ;  and,  pretending  to  lead  us  to  the  true 
knowledge  of  human  nature,  exhibit  to  our  view  si 
date  of  brutifti  ignorance,  and  of  favage  ferofity, 
which  has  never  exilled  but  in  their  own  imagina- 
tions. They  carry  us  back  to  a  period  of  which  there 
are  no  monuments,  and  in  which  they  confider  man 
not  as  a  focial,  but  as  a  folitary  animal,  aiftuated  by 
mere  animal  inftinds,  deftitute  of  ideas,  a  mere  quad- 
ruped grazing  along  with  the  brutes,  and  as  little  dif- 
tinguiftied  from  the  reft  of  his  fpecies  by  individual 
qualities,  as  his  fpecies  from  the  other  inhabitants  of 
the  foreft.  In  order  to  eftablifh  this  theory  fo  dif- 
graceful  to  human  nature,  they  produce  cer- 
tain relations  of  travellers,  concerning  Pongos,  and  En- 
jokos,  and  Ourang-Outangs,  whom  they  conclude  to 
be  primitive  men,  whofe  conduct  and  mode  of  life  can 
alone  fumifh  us  with  juft  reprefentations  of  our  ori- 
ginal condition.*     So  eafy  is  it,  when  a  favorite  opin- 

•  See  Rouffcau,  furTorigine  et  les  fondemcns  dc  Pinegalite  par- 
jni  les  homnaes.  Note  iGth.  This  fidion  appears  to  be  copied 
from  ancient  writers.  -  ■  —See  Lucretius.  I.  v.  \erfe  923.  Horace, 
ferm.  lib.  i.  Sat.  3,  verfc  98.  Cicero  pro.  Sextio,  c.  42.  De 
ijiventionc,  lib.  I.  c.z.  LadlanU  djv.  inft.  lib.  6,  c,  Jo.  Hob- 
bes  de  cive,  c.  viil.  ie^ioa  i« 


AN  ESSAY,  &c.  II 


ion  IS  to  be  maintained,  or  a  paradox  cftabliHied,  to 
adopt,  as  principles,  judgments  deftitute  of  all  evidence* 
and  reje(5l  principles  fandioned  by  univerial  confent. 
So  apt  are  the  enemies  of  fyilem,  to  run  into  fyftems 
of  their  own,  whofe  fole  recommendations  is  Angu- 
larity, while  ingenious  fophiftry  is  their  only  fupport. 

Thofe  writers  fcem  "not  to  have  refleded,  that  if 
man  was  originally  a  brute,  he  muft  ever  have  con- 
tinued  fo  ;  and  that  that  inftincfl,  which  folely  they 
allow  to  him  in  that  fituation,  if  it  is  unerring  within  its 
prefcribed  compafs,  never  can,  by  any  improvement, 
be  carried  one  ftep  beyond  its  primitive  limits. 
That  capacity  of  perfedlion,  which  they  grant  to  him, 
as  his  only  dillindtion  above  the  inferior  animals,  im- 
plies, in  its  very  nature,  more  elevated  and  extenfivc 
powers,  than  any  of  thefe  can  poffefs.  To  deny  this, 
is  to  affert,  that  a  building  may  be  cre«5ted  without  a 
foundation,  an  elegant  and  beautiful  form  exhibited 
without  original  materials,  an  efifeft  produced  without 
a  caufe.  Thefe  writers  feem  to  overlook  the  whole 
analogy  of  nature,  in  which  every  fpecies  is  diftinguifh- 
cd  from  every  ather,  by  properties  common  to  all  of 
the  fame  clafs,  while  all  the  individuals  of  each  (pe* 
cies  are  charadlerized  by  their  peculiar  qualities.  It 
would  be  equally  abfurd  to  think  of  forming  a  man 
out  of  a  brute,  as  to  imagine  that  a  fifh  may  be  traaf- 
formed  into  a  quadruped, 

Thofe,  however,  who  feek  not  fame,  but  wifdom, 
aot  brilliancy,  but  truth,  will,  in  all  their  inquiriesi 
concerning  human  nature,  take  the  human  fpecies,  as 
they  find  it  exhibited,  in  its  various  forms,  by  daily 
pbferyation,  by  the  iacorrupted  records  of  Hiflory, 


tt  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


and  by  the  authentic  relations  of  travellers.      Beyond 
thefe  fources  of  information  they  will  not  pretend   to 
go  in  queft  of  ftates  of  human  nature,  which  are  only 
to  be  found  in  the  pidures  of  poets,  or  in  the     hypothe- 
fis  of  philofophers    equally    fanciful;    and  they  will 
confider  it  as  no  lefs  lidiculous  for  any  one  to  philo- 
fophife  on  man  with  an  Ourang-Outang  before  him, 
than  it  would  be  for  a  perfon,  attempting  to  determine 
the   qualities  of  gold,   to  reject  an  undoubted  piece  cf 
that  metal,  and  begin  his  experiments  with  a  piece  ef 
pinchbeck.      For,  as  a  ftatue,  however  elegantly  fin- 
iilied,  ftill  contains  the  rude  mafs  of  marble,  on  which 
fo  much  fymmetry  and  beauty  has  been  fuperinduced  ; 
fo,  man,  in  the  moft  civilized  Rate  of  fociety,  ftill  retains 
the  original  principles  of  his  nature   on  which  all  the 
various  modifications  he  has  undergone,  have  been  in- 
grafted.    It  is  the  bufinefs  of  the  philofopher  to  dif- 
cover  thefe  amidft  all  the  adventitious  citcumftances 
with   which  they   may  be    connefted,  or   the  various 
fliapes  and  colourings   which  they  may  have  a/Tumed. 
No  human  purfuit,  no  human  inftitution,   no  human 
enjoyment,   no  human  corruption  itfelf,  but  may  be 
ultimately  referred    to  fome  original  principle  of  our 
nature  ;  and   without  thefe   original   principles,  it   is 
impoffible  to  account  for  the  power  of  education,  of 
habit,  and  of  example.       If,  laying   afide   all  regard 
to  imaginary  ftates  of  human   nature,  in  which   none 
of  the  principles,  which   now  fo   povvg^rfuUy  influence 
our  fpecies,  are  fuppofed  to  have  unfol'^ed   themfelves, 
we  fix  our  attention  on  mankind  as  they  are    exhibited 
to  us  in  hiftory,  and  by  daily  obfervation,  there  is  one 
important  faa,  Which  muft  occur  to  everyone  endow- 
ed with  the  fmalle  ft  refledtion.      This   faci:,  on  which 
X  mean  chiefly  to  found  my  reafonings  on  the  whole 


AN  ES?>AY,  5cc.  i^ 


of  this  fuojeJl,  Is,  that,  however  fimilarthe  fpccics  may 
be  in  general,  an  infinite  diverfity  of  abilities,  talents 
and  character,  obtains  among  the .  individuals  that 
compofe  it. 

This  diverfity  is  evident  with  regard  both  to  the 
body,  and  to  the  mind.  In  fome,  we  behold  great 
bodily  ftrength  and  dexterity,  and  a  peculiar  aptitude 
for  mechanical  operations,  and  for  rapid  and  power- 
ful movements.  In  others,  the  powers  of  imaginii" 
tion  confpicuoufly  unfold  themfelves ;  while  judgment*^ 
acutenefs,  penetration  and  fagacity,  n\  the  condu-51  o^ 
life,  diftinguifh  another  clafs  of  men.  An  uncommon 
clearnefs  and  energy  of  intellcd,  and  an  aptitude  for 
the  ab(ha<5t  fciences,  raife  others  above  the  common 
level.  Some  have  an  afioniihing  faculty  of  perfua- 
fion,  of  addrefs,  and  m.anagement  in  moving  the  af- 
fedion"^,  and  influencing  the  conducft  cf  their  fellov/- 
jnen. 

.  Nor  is  this  diverfity  lefs  remarkable  in  the  moral 
qualities  of  men,  than  in  their  corporeal  and  intellectual 
powers.  Some  have  a  wonderful  command  of  their 
own  pallions,  and  can  preferve  their  moderaiion  and 
compofure  o£  foul  amidtf  the  greatefl  provocation^;, 
and  the  mod  trying  calamities  ;  others  are  deprived 
of  all  felf  government  by  the  flighted:  adverfity,  or 
by  the  fmalleft  oppofition.  Some  n^itures  are  extreme- 
ly fympathetic,  and  eafily  moved  by  the  diftre/Ies  of 
their  fellow  men  ;  while  others  difcover  an  adanifli- 
ing  infenfibihty  with  regard  nof.  only  to  the  aiHi*!lions 
of  other  perfons,  but  even  to  their  own.  Benevolence, 
and  all  the  gentle  and  apiiable  qualities  which  accom- 
.  pany  it,  peculiarly  didinguifh   fome  charac'leis,   wail.j 

B 


^4  AN  ESSAY,  Sec. 


fortitude  and  magnanimity,  and  all  the  ftcrn  and  aw- 
ful virtues,  are  the  leading  features  of  fome  elevated 
fpirlts.  Not  to  mention  the  characfleriftical  marks  of 
ambition,  avarice,  voluptuoufnefs,  indolence  or  vanity, 
which  diverfify  fuch  a  number  of  individuals,  it  is 
certain  that  the  moral  complexion  of  men  is  as  vari- 
ous as  their  corporeal  conftitution,  or  their  mental 
faculties,  and  perhaps  is  greatly  influenced  by  both. 

Nor  can  It  be  alledged,  that  thefe  diftIn(5lions  of 
chara(51er  are  entirely  derived  from  the  prefent  ftate 
of  fociety,  and  from  different  opportunities  of  culti- 
vation ;  and  by  no  means  referable  to  any  original 
bent  of  nature.  This  conclufion  will  not  be  authorl- 
fed  either  by  the  induftions  of  reafon,  or  by  experi- 
ence. For,  in  the  firfl  place,  it  is  hard  to  be  conceiv- 
ed how  any  combination  of  circumftances,  or  any 
influence  of  education  and  habit,  can  produce  any 
pow^er  or  propenfity,  of  which  the  original  feeds  have 
not  been  dropped  into  the  conftitution  by  the  hand 
of  the  Creator.  All  that  fituation  and  opportunity 
can  effe(ftuate,  is  to  fumifti  thefe  inherent  powers  and 
propenfitics,  with  the  means  of  unfolding  themfelves, 
of  increafmg  in  vigour,  and  of  acquiring  maturity.  If 
they  are  entirely  wanting,  they  will  never  be  implant- 
ed by  any  effort  of  human  fltill,  or  be  brought  into 
a^lion,  by  any  favorable  combination  of  circumftan- 
ces. If  they  exift  in  any  degree,  however  fmall,  op- 
portunity, etercife  and  cultivation,  will  advance  them 
to  a  pitch  of  ftrength  fo  greatly  above  their  primitive 
condition,  as  will  have  the  appearance  of  a  real  crea- 
tion. If  we  attend  to  the  fadl  itfelf,  it  muft  be  evi- 
dent that  children  and  favages,  who  have  received 
no  inftru^ion,  (hew  Tarietics  jo  charafter,  as  well  at 


AN  ESSAY,  &c.  15 


men  who  have  enjoyed  all  the  advantages  of  polifhed- 
fociety,  and  who   move  in  its  diflPerent  fpheres.     Al- 
though a  pronenefs  to  imitation  is  univerfally  predomi* 
nant  in  childhood,  yet  the  manner  of  imitating,  and 
the  obje<Jls  to  which  it  is  direcJled,  are  infinitely  diver*  e 
fified.     As  foon  as  the  faculties  begin   to  unfold,  all 
the  paffions  and   propenfities  that  belong   to  human 
nature  imperceptibly  arife,  and,  accsrdisig  as  the  one 
or  the  other  of  thefe  is  moft  prevalent,  characleriftical 
features  diftinguilh  the  infant.     The  obje<5ls  that  en- 
gage the  attention  of  the  favage,  and  the  defires  that 
animate  his  purfuits,  are  indeed  few,  in   comparifOn 
of  thofe  that  exift  in   more  polifhed  ftates  of  fociety. 
Yet,  as  thefe  concentrate  his  whole  foul,  fo   they  excite 
Its  energies  the  more  powerfully  within  their  limited 
compafs,    and  confpire   the   more   fpeedily   to   form 
his  charader.     In  the  favage  ftate,  the  genuine  im- 
pulfes  and  propenfities  of  nature  are   freely  allowed 
to  appear,  and,  coUeded  in  one   point,   exert   thcm- 
felves  with  the  greater  vigour,   and  give  to  each  indi- 
vidual that   peculiar   complexion   which  refults  from 
the  peculiar   ftrength    of  his   native    powers.*      The 
multiplicity  of  objeds  which  attra<5t  attentions  and  ftini- 
ul ate  aiflivity    in  more    polifhed    periods   of    fociety, 
prevent  a  characfler  frorq  being    fo  fpeedily  formed  : 
while  the  uniform   inftitutions  of  civilized  life,  mould 
all  the  membeis  of  the  community  to  mutual  refem- 
blance,  and  contribute  to  eitace  thofe  prominent  and 
charaiflerillical  features,  uhich  the  hand  of  nature  has 
impreifed.     I  mean  not  to  aflert  that  thofe  diver fities 
€f  talents  and  chara<5ler  are  wholly  to  be  afcribcd  to 

•  See  Robcrtfon'g  Hi<^orjr   df  America,   and    Raynar*  Hiftoire 
Philofophiqiie  et  Politique  pallin). 


J 6  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


tlie  unafflfted  powers  of  nature,  but  only  that  they 
prevail  ]p  the  joint  propcrrion  of  tlicfe  powers,  and 
tvf  the  circuijiftances  that  call  them  into  exercife.  As 
the  fire  will  foon  be  extinguifhed,  if  not  conQantly  fed 
by  combuftibles,  and  as  thefe  ccmbuftibles,  however 
muldplied,  will  not  produce  flame,  and  light,  and  heat, 
;;nlefs  they  are  kindled ;  i'o  the  human  faculties,  if  never 
called  into  a<5lion  by  correfpon.ding  fituations,  will  re- 
main torpid  and  inefficacious  ;  and  the  moll:  favorable 
concurrence  of  circumftances  will  not  produce  genius, 
dexterity,  fagacity,  and  virtue,  if  the  original  feeds  of 
all  thefe  qualities  are  totally  wanting.  Be  this  as  it 
may,  it  is  incontroveitible  that  theie  is,  among  the  vari. 
ous  individuals  that  compcfe  the  human  fpecies,  an&l- 
moft  iaHnite  diverfity  of  abilities,  temper,  and  charader. 

From  this  circumftance  a  natural  wequalify  muft 
neceffarily  arife.  Thofe  talents  and  difpofitions,  vvhich 
are  the  moflr  amiable  and  refpedable,  diredlly  point 
out  their  pofrclTors  as  the  objcds  of  love  and  efteem. 
Wherever  fuch  qualities  appear,  it  is  as  impoflible 
for  the  human  mind,  unlefs  it  be  mod  deplorably 
depraved,  to  witlihold  its  admiration  and  affection, 
as  it  would  be  for  any  natural  caufe  not  to  produce 
its  eff.d  when  placed  in  circumftances  adapted  to 
its  operation.  Every  dlfplay  of  genius,  of  fagacity, 
of  penetration,  and  prudence,  is  calculated  to  excite 
the  admiration  of  the  beholders,  to  afford  them  plea- 
fure,  and  if  beneficently  direfled,  to  demand  their 
gratitude.  Fortitude,  magnanimity  and  generofity, 
command  veneration,  and  excite  efteem.  Gentlenefs, 
moderation,  kindnefs,  and  compafllon,  appearing  as 
the  diaiaguifhing  features  in  any  chara^icr,  cannot 
fail  to  a^iaa   the    love    and  complacency    of  uil   to 


AN  E8SAY,  5cc. 


v/horn  they  are  known.  Even  corporeal  ftreng'h 
and  dexterity  procure  a  certain  degree  cf  refpeA  to 
their  poirefihrs,  on  account  of  their  utiiicy  in  life  both 
to  others  and  to  themielves. 

It  !s  equally  certain,  that  refy^^t,  eP.eera,  veneration 
and  love,  enfure  to  ihofe  who  ure  the  objeds  of  then;, 
a  very  high  degree  of  influence  over  the  reft  of  nrian- 
kind.  Such  will  be  liftened  to,  imitated,  and  oo*.  red 
by  all  who  are  capable  of  eftimating  the  qualities  above 
ineiuioned  according  to  their  real  merit  ;  the  lulhe 
which  they  Hied  around  their  po/Teirors  dazzles  thofe 
whofe  fouls  are  lefs  difcerning  and  elevated  ;  and  even 
the  ftupid  and  the  bafe  are  con  drained  to  pay  an  in- 
voluntary homage.  That  fucii  qualities  are  the  on- 
ly original  fources  of  power  and  influence,  is  evident 
from  the  conduft  of  all  who  afpire  at  acquiring  con- 
fideration  and  authority.  If  they  want  the  reality? 
they  afFeft  the  appearance  of  them,  and,  even  .when 
power  alone  reduces  their  fellow  men  under  ihsir 
fubje<ftion,  they  endeavor  alfo,  if  not  ftupified  by  the 
habits  of  tyranny,  to  engage  their  efteem,  and  to 
captivate  their  benevolence,  fenfible  that  dominion, 
to  which  thefe  give  no  fupport,  can  never  be  fure  and 
lafting.  I  am  far  from  aifcrting  that  all  power  and 
diftinftion  are  founded  on  this  natural  bafis.  La- 
mentable experience  proves  the  contrary.  But,  that 
refpedable  and  amiable  qualities  are  the  primitive 
fources  of  authority  and  pre-eminence;  and,  wheu 
freely  allowed  to  exert  themfelves,  cannot  fail  to  ob- 
tain them,  will  be  as  generally  acknowledged  as  it  is 
certain  in  fa<Jk.* 

♦  H<nc«  *.lift«ary  to  accownt  for  monavchUa  having  been  ^Imo/k 
B2 


AN  ESSAY,  Sec. 


Nature  henelf,  then,  has  evidently  eftablifhed  unam- 
biguous di[lin<5lions  among  men,  and  produced  a  very 
rea^.arkable  inequility   among  the    individuals   of  our 
Ipeeles.     We  may  freely  affert,  that  if  any  mortal  con- 
fpicuoufly  excelled  the  refl:  of  mankind  in  every  poffiblc 
talent  and  quality,  whether   corporeal,  intellectual,  or 
iiioral,  which   difiinguilhes  the  fpecies  in   general,  and 
had  every  poffible  opportunity  of  difplaying  this  perfec- 
tion in  all  its  luftre,  he  would  be  raifed,  by  nature  her- 
Telf,  as  mu  :h  above  the  reft  of  his  fellow  men  as  they 
.re  above  the  inferior  animals,  and  be  as  clearly  defign. 
d  to  had  and  govern  them.     Or,  if  all  the  above  men- 
'oned  qualities  were    the    peculiar  attributes   of  any 
•iven  number  of  men,  thefe  would  be  marked  out   by 
)ivine  Providence,  as  a  glorious  ariftocracy    or  fenate, 
•>  pref.de  over  the  community  to  which  they  belonged, 

v.jy  where  the  pnmk'.ve  form  of  government.  As  no  foclety 
,;Uid  riibfjft  withoui  fome  diiedlng  power,  and  as  rude  and  favage 
■vzn  AAfcre  incapable  of  extending  their  views  to  thofe  more  compli- 
^ui.  fyftcms  which  obfervatiou   and    experience    alone   can   fugged 

.  .i  eflabli/h,  it  was  natural  for  them  to  pitch  on  the  fimpleft  forms 
•lici)  was  diftated  rather    by  fentimciit,   than  by    reafon,   and    to 

vu.<i  ihat  Toluntary  obedience  to  a  chief,  which  their  admiratioa 
^  his  fyperior  quaJities  infpired.  ThtJ  fimple  foim  lafted  as  lotg 
s  :he  chief  continued  to  difplay  thef;  virtoe?,  and  to  apply  them  i« 
.ch  a  manner  as  to  conciliate  general  benevolence.  But,  as  foon 
i  oppreilion  rendered  him  an  objed  cf  hatred,  or  wesknefs,  an 
bjed  of  contempt,  the  eviis  cxperie.iced  pointed  out  the  ncceflity 
Kl^curin^?  the  public  welfare  on  a  firmer  bafis  than  the  capricious 
•  eafufe  of  an  indiviJu.1  }   and  the  hab'ts  of  fociety   fuggefted    more 

..Tijplicared  fydemsof  givernment,  better  adapted  to  the  grand 
.  tvbjpi^.v  of  political  unon.     Among  boys  at  fchocl,  one  diftinguiflied 

by    bis   courage,   his    fsgacity,  or    his    art,  commonly   affumes    the 

le.i'l,  ano  gove^■RS  the  juvenile  com.xu.nity,  with    a  fway    as   defpo- 

tic  as  th»t  of  ary  eaftern   monarch.     The  cafe   is  nearly  the  fame 

ill  At!  voluntary  tflfvciatiyns. 


AN  ESSAY,  Sec.  i§ 


For  they  would  be  pofTefled  of  every  qnalification  to  dif- 
cern,  of  every  difpofition  to  purfiie,  and,  from  the  willing 
homage  and  obedience  of  the  reft  of  mankind,  of  every 
power  to  fccure,.  the  public  good.  Or,  laftly,  If  any 
human  being  were  inverted  with  fuch  ftrength  and 
agility  of  body,  with  fuch  compafs  of  undcrllanding, 
and  with  fuch  complete  maftery  of  his  own  paffions, 
as  fully  to  provide  himfelf  with  every  thing  uecelfary 
for  his  fubfulence,  or  conducive  to  his  convenience  and 
comfort,  and  as  neither  to  be  expofed  to  the  injuries  of 
others,  nor  to  be  tempted  to  injure  them,  ncr  to  be 
affeded  by  their  misfortunes  ;  fuch  a  mortal  would  be 
perfe<^ly  independent  of  the  reft  of  mankind  ;  and  as 
he  needed  nothing  from  them,  fg  he  would,  in  no 
refped  whatever,  be  their  debtor. 

But  fuch  charaders  as  thofe  above  defcrlbed,  have 
never  yet  exifted  in  the  world,  and  indeed  never  can 
exift.  Such  an  cfTemblage  of  perfedion  is  net  human 
but  divine. 


to  AN  ESSAY,  8cc. 


CHAPTER     IL 

0/^thff  DISTRIBUTION  ^HUMAN  ABILITIES  and  TALINTI- 


IF  we  Gonfider  the  various  talents  and  modes  of er- 
cellence  of  which  the  human  ipecies  is  capable,  wc 
fhall  acknowledge  that  neither  all  thefe,  nor  any  conii- 
derabls  number  of  thein,  have  ever  been  found  united 
in  any  one  individual  ;  nay,  that  the  higheft  degrees 
of  many  of  them  are  incompatible  with  each  other. 
For,  when  diftinguifhed  honors,  or  extenfive  reputii- 
tion,  are  acquired  by  iliuftjrious  qualifies,  we  are  not 
thence  to  infer  that  the  perfons,  to  whom  thefc  diftinc- 
lions  are  allotted,  furpafs  the  reft  of  mankind  in  every 
quality  belonging  to  the  fpecies  ;  but  only  that  they 
have  attained  fuperiority  in  fuch,  as  being  more  uncom- 
mon, are,  on  that  account,  more  admired.  Thof« 
mechanical  arts  and  inferior  virtues,  without  which 
human  fociety  could  not  fubfift,  attra<5l  no  admiration, 
becaufe  they  are  daily  exhibited.  Yet  the  moft  illuftri- 
ous  of  mankind  ftand  more  in  need  of  the  benefits  which 
thefe  afford,  than  their  diilinguiflied  abilities  can  confer 
en  the  humble  pofTefTors  of  the  former.  As  thofe  en- 
dowed with  the  qualities  moft  neceffary  in  human  life, 
but  of  inferior  eftimation,  efpecially  fuch  as  are  dlfplay- 
cd  in  mechanical  labor  and  art,  cannot,  from  their  oc- 
cupations themfelves,  afpire  at  the  fublimer  and  more 
elegant  abilities  which  diftinguifh  others  ;  thefc,  on  the 
other  hand,  mull  remain  deftitute  of  the  more  ufeftii 


A^  ESSAV,  &c.  "4l 


ftiie*.  TJiat  leifnre,  meditation,  and  findy,  withou 
which  the  faculties  of  the  mind  cannot  be  perfe(5ted, 
Tieceffarily  prevent  that  full  exercife  of  the  corporeal 
members,  which  enfures  their  highefl  vigor  and  agility. 
A  fancy  uncommonly  lively  and  bright  is  adverfe  to 
the  patient  and  accurate  refearches  of  philofcphy,  and 
to  the  juft  application  of  the  intelled,  in  the  difcovery 
and  develcpement  of  truth,  and  the  improvement  of 
fcience.  That  minute  attention  to  calculation,  that 
arithmeticiil  exac^nefs,  and  that  conftant  obfervance  of 
the  linvarying  routine  of  bufmefs,  which  are  necefTary 
to  mercantile  and  economical  purfuits,  but  which  pre- 
fent  no  imagery  to  the  mind,  are  inaufpicious  to  the 
more  elegant  enjoyments  of  tafte,  and  to  the  cnltivation 
of  the  fine  arts.  The  ftern  and  awful  virtues  feldom 
aflbciate  with  the  gentle  and  amiable,  and,  claiming 
refpedl  and  veneration,  feem  to  difdain  complacency 
and  love.  Even  fome  corporeal  perfections  appear  re- 
pugnant to  others.  The  moft  robuii  conformation  of 
the  members,  and  the  ftrength  it  produces,  are  not 
eafily  united  with  great  agility,  and  w  ith  delicate  re- 
finement in  the  organs  of  fenfe.  In  a  word,  it  appears 
to  be  the  intention  of  nature,  that,  although  the  human 
faculties  are  various,  and  capable  of  being  carried  to 
amazing  heights  of  excellence  ;  yet  this  fliould  feldom 
he  accomplilhed,  unlefs  when  uncommon  culture  and 
improvement  are  beftowed  on  fome  particular  faculty, 
or  at  leaft,  en  a  few  faculties  which  have  a  peculiar  na- 
tive ftrength. 

Variety  of  talents  is,  therefore,  more  applicable  to 
the  fpecies  than  to  individuals.  The  feeds  of  each  (as 
v,c  have  above  obferved)  are,  perhaps,  cad    into   every 


U  AN  ESSAY,  Itc. 

individual  ccBftuvtion,  but  the  foil  is  diiferently  adap- 
ted to  them,  and  that  particular  power  to  which  it  if 
favourable,  fprings  up,  and,  if  properly  cultivated, 
comes  to  maturity,  fpreads  around  its  branches,  and 
bears  abundant  fruit.  It  may  be  obje^ed,  that  it 
feems  very  prepofternus  to  fuppofe  the  creator  implan. 
ting  in  any  conftitution  the  principles  of  powers,  which 
were  never  defigned  to  come  to  maturity-  But,  let  it 
be  confidered  that,  as  the  different  improvements  of 
men  depend  on  various  occurrences,  and,  as  mention- 
ed above,  the  charafteriftical  qualities  of  each  individ- 
ual will  be  in  the  united  degree  of  their  primitive 
ftrcngth,  andof  the  opportunities  of  culture;  it  was 
neceflary  that  the  feeds  of  each  fliould  be  dropped  in- 
to every  human  frame,  fo  that,  when  favourable  cir- 
cumftances  concurred,  that  power  which  they  were  bed 
calculated  to  improve  might  fpring  up  and  flourilh, 
and  thus  as  much  human  excellence  might,  on  the 
whole,  be  produced  as  the  human  condition  would  ad» 
init.  This  was,  moreover,  neceffary  in  order  to  con- 
ftitutc  that  general  fimilarity  which  charaderifes  the 
fpecies,  and  unites  them  together  in  the  bonds  of  a 
common  nature. 

Be  this  as  it  may,  it  is  undoubted  that  thofe  who 
aVm  at  diftin<5lion,  or  even  at  moderate  degrees  of  ei- 
ccllence  in  a  great  variety  of  obje<5ls,  generally  exhibit 
a  ridiculous  6gure  ;  after  having  wafted  their  time, 
exhaufted  their  powers,  and  fuperinduced  on  their 
minds  habits  of  inconftancy  and  ficklenefs.  Even  the 
greateft  geniufes,  when  they  leave  that  particular  track, 
in  which  indulgent  nature  had  provided  them  with  un- 
fading laurels,  and  endeavour  to  invade  the  |)rovince, 
and  fnatch  the  rewards  of  others,  while  they  prefent, 
on  the  one  hand,  the  moft  aftonifhing  inftances  o£  the 


AN  ESI^AY,  fte.  i^ 

ftrength  of  the  homan  mind,  afFord,  on  the  other,  no  left 
convincing  proofs  of  its  weaknefs  and  vanity.*  Hence 
theneceffity  of  each  individual  devoting  himfelf  to  fome 
favourite  and  ufeful  purfuit,  to  which  every  other 
fliould  be  fubfervient,  and  of  applying  to  the  diligent 
difcharge  of  the  duties  of  that  department  in  which  h« 
can  produce  the  greatefl  benefit  to  mankind,  and  ac- 
quire the  greateft  honour  to  himfelf. 

From  what  has  been  faid  in  this  and  the  preceding 
chapter,  it  appears,  in  the/ry?  place,  that  nature  her* 
felf  has  eftablilhed  clear  and  certain  diftinflions  among 
men,  in  the  various  qualities  allotted  to  each  individ- 
ual, and  in  the  various  opportunities  furniftied  them  in 
the  courfe  of  life  for  their  improvement.  Thefe  op- 
portunities may  occur,  though  in  inferior  degrees,  in 
the  rudeft  as  well  as  in  the  mod  polilhed  ftates  of  fo- 
cicty.  It  is  evident,  fecondly^  that  thefe  diftindions 
comprehend  not  the  perfe^ion  of  all  the  human  pow- 
ers, but  the  fmgular  excellence  of  one,  or  of  a  few  of 
tliem,  confpicuous  in  individuals. 

*  This  might  bellluftrated  by  manj  exAtnples  of «  fooliih  Jiffe«- 
Ution  •£ univerfslity  of  ^eniui. 


M  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


CHAPTER    III. 

^f  the  MUTUAL     DEPENDENCE  of  MANKINI>. 


FROM  the  two  fa^s  eftabilihed  in  the  ccnclufion 
of  thelail  chapter,  duly  co  "(^^ered,  it  appears  to 
me  that  the  juft  notion  of  the  natural  equality  of  all 
mankind,  as  far  as  relates  to  their  mutual  duties,  is  to 
be  derived  ;  and  that,  however  paradoxical  it  may 
ieem,  an  equality  the  moO:  exa<5t  and  perfe^,  in  refpect 
of  every  moral  and  focial  obligation,  fprings  from 
':?7e<j!ualit^  itfelf, 

Human  nature  is  evidently  endowed  wiih  a  varie- 
ty of  appetites  and  defires,  adapted  to  the  various  ob- 
{ eels  which  are  capable  of  fupplying  its  wants,  or  of 
furnifhing  it  wiih'pleafures.  The  body  {lands  in  need 
of  conftaiit  fupport,  which  is  not  to  be  procured  with- 
out confiderable  art  and  labour-  This  art  and  labour 
muft  be  greatly  increafed.  if  not  only  the  neceffaries, 
but  alfo  the  ccnveniencies  and  elegancies  of  iifs  are  de- 
fircd,  and  the  refinements  of  fenfe  confidered  as  objed:s 
of  purfuit.  The  fenfes  are  not  only  inlets  of  pleafures 
merely  corporeal,  but  of  others  alio  of  a  more  refined 
and  delicate  kind,  of  which  the  mind  under  the  ifiu- 
ence  of  fancy,  is  the  chief  percipient.  Hence  they 
open  a  very  extenfive  field  of -human  enjoyment,  and 
claim  the  whole  compafs  of  nature  to  adminifler  ma- 
terials for  the  fine  arts.  The  mind  of  man  is  eagerly 
defirous  of  knowledge,  and  vvilhes  to  difcover  the  rela- 
tions, the  caufes  ajid  the  effc»5ls,  of  ths  various  cbjs^ 


AN  ESSAY,  kc. 


that  are  prefented  to  it.  Not  only  corporeal  wants 
and  appetites,  the  fenfes  of  beauty,  of  harmony, 
and  of  magnificence,  and  the  love  of  knowledge,  fub- 
jedt  man  to  neceffities,  which  mud  be  fupplied,  or  of- 
fer to  him  pleafures  which  he  cannot  but  defire  ;  he 
is  alfo  aduated  by  various  affedions,  fome  felfiih  and 
fome  benevolent,  w'hich  ferve  as  conftant  fpurs  to  ac- 
tion, and  impel  him  into  various  tracks,  according  to 
the  different  comple  '  as  of  their  objeds. 

Such  is  the  nature  of  man  ;  and  from  what  has 
been  faid  above,  as  well  as  from  other  confiderations 
on  which  I  (hall  flightly  touch,  it  is  evident,  that  each 
individual  is  infufFicient,  not  only  for  his  own  perfec- 
tion, but  even  for  the  fupply  of  his  moil  urgent  necef- 
fities. The  other  animals  are  by  nature  provided  with 
defence  and  covering,  with  fubfiftence  and  Ihclter. 
They  foon  attain  the  full  vigour  and  the  complete  ex- 
ercife  of  their  powers,  and,  witiiout  inftrud:ion  or  fnc- 
€Our,  can  apply  them  with  certainty  to  their  refpedive 
ends.  But  man,  as  he  enters  into  the  world  naked,  de- 
fencelefs,andi>nprovided  with  fubfiftence,  fo,  without  the 
affiftance  and  co-operation  of  his  fpecies,  he  muftever 
remain  in  the  moft  abje<5t  and  comfortlefs  condition. 
The  inclemency  of  the  feafons,  the  fterility  of  the  earth, 
the  ferocity  O:'  favage  animals,  his  natur-.il  •mbecility. 
oppofe  to  his  comfortable  exiftence,  fo  many  and  fo 
powerful  obftacles,  as  he  could  never  exp£(5l  of  himfelf 
to  furmount.  He  is  afiailed  by  evils  which  he  cannot 
repel,  fubjetfl  to  wants  which  he  cannot  fupply,  and 
furrounded  by  objects  which  he  cannot,  by  his  own 
ftrength,  convert  to  his  ufe.  Deftined  for  focicty,  he 
is  immediately  thrown  on  its  care,  and  bound  by  his 
own  weakuefs^  to  contribute  to  its  ftrength.  'Defigu- 
C 


26  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


«d  to  fc-m  the  mod  intimate  union  with  his  fellow  mea 
he  is  conPtituted  miferablc  and  deftitute  without  them  ; 
but,  conftrained  by  this  circumftance,  to  join  his  ef- 
forts to  theirs,  he  derives  tlie  mod  aftoniOiing  acquired 
power  from  his  natural  imbecility.  Furnilhed  with 
capacities  greatly  fuperior  to  inftindl,  he  at  firft  exer- 
cifss  them  in  a  manner  greatly  below  it  ;  and,  formed 
for  infinite  improvement,  he  proceeds  from  the  fmall- 
eft  beginnings  ;  but  can  neither  begin  nor  proceed  with- 
out the  co-operation  cf  his  fellow  men. 

What  multiplication  of  ingenuity,  what  combination 
ofinduftry,  what  concurrence  of  different  abilities,  are 
requiute  not  only  to  carry  to  perfedioU:,  but  even  to 
invent  and  exercife,  with  any  tolerable  degree  of  dex- 
terity, thofe  mechanical  arts  and  employments,  which 
exalt  the  citizen  above  the  favage,  which  fweeten  and 
embellish  fecial  life,  which  furnilh  all  that  variety  of 
convenience  and  pleafure  we  daily  behold  and  enjoy, 
and  which,  from  the  moft  helplefs  of  the  animal  crea- 
tion, render  man  the  lord  of  the  world.  Will  the  fo- 
reft  be  felled  and  moulded  into  furniture,  the  quarry 
be  dug  and  poliihed  into  materials  for  building,  the 
marlh  drained  and  converted  into  arable  land,  the 
overflowing  river  confined  to  its  proper  channel,  the 
inferior  creatures  conftrained  to  fuccour  human  weak- 
nefs  by  their  fuperior  Itrength,  or  their  fpoils  be  manu- 
faaured  into  clothing ;  will  the  fuperfluities  of  one 
count'-y  fupply  the  deficiencies  of  another,  and  naviga- 
tion unite  the  moft  diftant  regions  by  the  mutual  and 
permament  ties  of  beneficial  commerce  j  will  all  this, 
and  much  more,  which  I  forbear  to  enumerate,  be 
accoropiiilied  without  tlie  united  and  juftly  regulated 


AN  ESSAY,  &c.  27 


efforts  of  the  human  fpecies,  and  the 'equal  application 
of  the  talents  of  each  to  the  common  intereft  ?*  Will 
tha  fecret  fprirgs  of  nature  be  explored,  and  the  laws, 
which  fbe  obferves  through  all  her  different  provinces, 
be  inveftigated,  unlefs  time  and  opportunity  are  fur- 
nifhed  to  the  acute  and  the  ingenious,  by  means  of  a 
commodious  fubfiftence  provided  for  them,  by  the 
labour  and  induflry  of  thofe  whofe  faculties  are  leis 
refined  and  exalted  f 

Thus  it  appears  that,  as  each  individual  is  totally 
infufBcient  for  his  own  happine's,  fo  he  muft  depend, 
in  a  great  meafure,  on  the  affiftance  of  others  for  its 
attainment  ;  and  that  however  much  any  one  may  con- 
tribute to  the  beneiit  of  his  fellow  men,  by  the  excellence 
and  fplendor  of  his  abilities,  whether  natural  or  ac- 
quired, he  derives  from  them  as  much  as  he  can  be- 
Itow,  and  frequently  much  more  than  he  gives. 

If  the  union  of  all,  then,  be  necefTary  for  the  fufle- 
nance,  the  convenience  and  the  happinefs  of  each  ixi- 
diviJual,  and  each  individual  can,  in  Kis  turn,  contri- 
bute coufiderably  to  the  common  welfare,  it  follows, 
as  a  neceflary  confequence  of  this  determination  of 
nature,  that  order  and  fubordination  muft  be  introdu- 
ced, by  which  the  different  members  of  the  communi- 
ty may  have  their  proper  taflis  allotted  to  them,  the 
talents  of  each  be  directed  to  their  proper  objects,  in- 
jufticeand  violence  be  reftrained,  and  as  great  a  fum 
of  common  fehcity  be  produced,  as  the  condition  of 
humanity  will  permit.  Hence,  new  channels  are  cue 
out  for  abilities,  namely,  thofe  which  are  exercJAd  \n 

*See    Soiixii'*   V-'calth   of  Nations,  Baoic  j. 


2g  AN  7.5SA?,  &c. 


cHices  of  power  and  authority.  As  reafon,  however, 
loudly  dictates  the  inftitution  of  thefe  for  the  common 
^onj  of  the  human  race  ;  fo  fhe  requires  that  they  fall 
to  the  lot  of  thole  who  are  qn  ilified  to  difcharge  them. 
When  iljjs  a-f^uaily  takes  place,  the  order  of  nature  is 
<;bferved,  ,i!id  all  ns  happy  confequenccs  enfue.  Wh.ea 
this  order  ii^  overturned,  and  the  different  departments 
of  fociety,  but  efpecially  ihofe  of  the  higheft  dignity 
and  life,  are  committed  to  fuch  as  are  incapable  of 
dilchargiiig  the  duties  of  them,  all  the  dilmal  effeds  of 
folly,  injufiice,  and  confufion,  are  fpread  through  the 
whole  ct  the  focJal  frame,  and  the  evils  of  that  inequa- 
lity, which  LJ-e  corruption  and  blindnefs  of  mankind 
hrivc  introduced,  arefeverely  felt.  When  the  talents  and 
meritkof  mcnareallowedlhcirfree  courfe,  are  permitted 
a  fair  field  for  their  exercife,  and  are  not  deprived  of 
thofe  rewards  v.'hich  are  by  nature  annexed  to  them,  there 
never  can  be  any  ground  to  complain  of  inequality 
among  men.  For,  however  unequal  their  abilities  and 
opportunities  may  be  in  themfelves,  the  moft  perfe^ 
equality  exifts  in  the  diftribution  of  the  rewards  and 
advantages  annexed  tc  each  by  the  conflitution  of  na- 
ture, '^i'he  "gc^d  efFe(5>s  of  univerfiil  induilry,  and  the 
prober  application  of  the  powers  of  every  individual, 
i'c  at,  to  produce  the  greateft  good  upon  tlie  ^/hole,  are 
then  felt  through  all  the  focial  body.  Every  perfon 
poiieii'cs  that  degree  of  wealth,  of  confideration,  and  of 
honor,  to  which  he  is  entitled  by  his  honed  induftry, 
v.r  by  his  fervices  to  the  public.  The  adive  and  noble 
minded  exert  all  their  powers  for  the  common  welfare, 
in  the  moft  efficacious  and  iiludrious  manner.  The 
indolent  and  fclfiih  are  conftraincd,  by  the  indigence 
au»j  contempt  into  whi^h  they   mull  otherwife  fall,  to 


AN  ESSAY,  5cc.  29 


contribute  their  ihare  to  it.  But,  when  power  and 
riches  are  employed  to  fruftrate  virtue  of  the  refpeci 
which  is  its  due  ;  abilities,  of  the  diftinftlon  and  intiu- 
cnce  which  they  juftly  claim  ;  and  honed  Indallry,  of 
its  natural  fruits,  a  moi\  ihocklng  inequality  takes  place, 
which  can  only  fubfiil  in  conjun<flion  with  the  moil 
edious  tyranny.  In  proportion  as  this  oppreflion  pre- 
vails which  throws  the  principal  advantages  of  fociety 
into  the  hands  of  a  few,  by  no  means  the  moi^  refpec- 
table  of  its  members,  and  renders  it  a  patrimony  and 
inheritance,  of  which  they  m;iy  difpofe  at  pleafurc, 
ibciety  is  corrupted  and  miferable.  In  proportion  as 
that  inequality  is  maintained,  which  the  Creator  has  tf. 
tablifhed,  and  which  confifts,  not  in  all  the  members  of 
the  focial  body  being  placed  on  a  level,  but  in  mutual 
dependance  and  parity  of  obligation  among  all,  amidd 
a  variety  of  diftindtions,  conditions,  and  ranks,  fociety 
is  happy,  fre  e,  and  flourifhing,  fecuring  to  each  indi- 
vidual the  full  enjoyment  of  all  his  natural  advantage-^, 
enfuring  to  the  public  the  complete  produ(5^  of  the  ef- 
forts of  all  well  dire<5ted  and  juftly  combined  ;  uni- 
ting all  the  members  of  the  focial  body  by  the  tits  of 
mutual  intereft  and  benevolence,  and  preferving  a-^; 
much  liberty  as  is  confident  with  civil  union. 

In  fuch  a  happy  date  of  things,  whatever  forms  of 
fubordination  may  exid,  as  there  is  a  mutual  depend- 
ance among  all  the  parts  of  the  focial  body  ;  fo  there 
is  not  the  fmalleft  ground  for  pride  and  infolence,  on 
the  one  hand,  or  for  degradation  and  debafement  of 
(entiment,  on  the  other.  Are  any  exalted  above  others 
by  the  fuperiority  of  their  mental  powers,  they  are  in- 
ferior to  them  in  other  qualities,  which  ave  abfolutely 
liCcciTary  to  the  fupport  and  conveaience  of  life.     iV 

C2 


30  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


one  excels  in  ufeful  qualities,  another  Is  diflinguifiied 
by  agreeable  and  fhining  ones ;  and,  as  pleafure  with- 
out utility,  is  pernicious,  fo  utility,  without  pleafure, 
becomes  languid  and  infipid.  If  one  is  exalted 
to  power,  or  illuftrious  by  fame,  thofe  who  faithfully 
difcharge  the  duties  of  an  humble  and  obfcure  ftation, 
enable  him  to  fulfil  the  duties  of  his  more  confpicuous 
one,  and  contribute  to  his  exaltation,  by  occupying 
thofe  parts  of  the  general  fyftem,  without  which  the 
higher  orders  could  not  fubfift,  and  by  paying  him  that 
deference  and  refped  to  which  his  merit  is  entitled. 
If  one  is  eminent  by  his  wifdom  and  fagacity,  by  his 
genius  and  wit,  by  his  knowledge  and  erudition  ;  an- 
other is  no  lefs  aiding uifhed  by  his  adivity  and  ftrength» 
■jy  hh  fkill  and  dexterity,  by  his  induftry  and  labour. 
If  one  ^s  venerable  by  his  elevation  of  foul,  by  his  gen- 
erofity,  public  fpirit,  and  intrepidity  ;  another  is  ami- 
able by  his  gtntlenefs  and  complaifance,  by  his  patience, 
r.iodefty,  and  meeknefs  ;  and,  if  the  former  qualities 
vrs  the  cirirtments,  the  latter  are  the  great  fweetners,  of 
rvff:,  while  both,  operating  in  conjunction,  fupply  mu- 
ti'^l  defers,  and  impart  mutual  ftrength  and  embellifh- 
ir^:ert.  If  thofe  who  fill  the  higher  ftations  in  a  becpm- 
ii)g  manner,  confer  the  greateft  benefits  on  their  fellow 
men,  they  are  equally  indebted  to  them  for  their  fup- 
port.  If  the  latter  ftand  in  need  of  the  judgment  and 
penetration  of  the  former  ;  in  order  to  devifc  the  bed 
plans  cf  profecuting  tte  public  good,  and  of  main- 
taining the  general  fafety  ;  thcfe,  again,  ftand  in  need 
of  their  refolution  and  diligence  to  carry  their  plans 
into  eyecuiion.  If  fome  contribute  to  the  inftru(flioa 
and  improvement  of  their  fellow  men,  by  teaching  and 
illuftrating  the- gi^nd  principles  of  virtue,  on  which  the 


AN  ESSAY,  &c.  jt 


welfare  of  fociety  is  principally  founded,  thofe  who  en- 
joy the  benefit  of  their  inftru<5lions,  turn  them  to  their 
profit,  by  pradifing  towards  them  the  virtues  which 
they  inculcate.  If  one  clafs  of  men  maintain  good  or- 
der and  peace,  and  another  exercife  all  the  elegant  and 
ufeful  arts  of  fecial  life,  there  are  others  who  fecnre 
thefe  enjoyments  and  advantages  again  ft  external  rnva. 
fion,  and  offer  their  blood  as  their  contribution  to 
the  common  intereft. 

As,  in  the  human  body,  therefore,  the  welf.re  of 
the  whole  depends  upon  that  of  each  individual  mem- 
ber, and  that  again  is  neceflarily  affected  by  whate\er 
affcds  the  whole  fyftem  ;  and  there  is  thus  a  mutual 
depcndance  and  fympathy  among  all  the  parts  ;  fo,  in 
fociety,  every  individual  having  a  particular  portion  of 
talents,  and,  if  properly  placed,  a  partlculai  ftation^ 
conformable  to  this,  allotted  to  him,  becomes  necef- 
fary  to  the  welfare  of  the  whole  community,  and  as  he  ' 
affefts,  is  likewife  afit<5led  by,  its  profperity  or  detri- 
ment. All  are  united  by  mutual  dependance  and  fup- 
port :  break  but  one  link  of  the  chain,  and  the  reft  are 
of  no  ufe,  or,  at  leaft,  are  deprived  of  much  advantage 
and  comfort,  which  Is  enjoyed  when  the  focial  feries  is 
complete. 

Nor  cfught  it  to  bealledgedi,that  many  of  thofe  wants, 
which  cannot  be  fupplied  but  in  fociety^  are  not  the 
wants  of  nature,  but  are  merely  adventitious,  and  gen- 
erated in  that  fociety,  the  neceflity  of  which  they  are 
produced  to  prove.  We  readily  grant,  that  in  refined 
and  highly  poliftied  ftatcs  of  civilized  life,  where  luxury 
has  ttniverfally  d^ufed  its  e^cnunating  influence,  manj 


AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


wants  and  defires  are  generated,  whicli  iire  not  only- 
net  agreeable  to  nature,  but  repugnant  to  human  per- 
•edion  and  felicity.  Ler  it  however  be  obftrved,  that 
ihis  pernicious  tendency  to  human  happinefs,  begins  by 
ioofening  thofe  ties  which  knit  men  moft  firmly  toge- 
ther. It  is  felfifti,  not  fecial,  enjoyments  which  are 
moft  adverfe  to  human  perfe<51icn,  and  man  begins  to 
injure  his  own  happinefs,  by  fepiuaring  it  fi  cm  the 
general  good.  Ic  is  undoubted,  that  all  the  original 
powers  of  human  nature  are  carried  to  the  higheft  per- 
fedion  in  fociety,  and  droop  and  languilh  in  folitude. 
That  ftate,  furely,  which  is  moft  perfe<nive  of  every 
human  faculty,  is  the  moft  natural^  and  it  is  only  by  the 
ftrangeft  perverfion  of  terms  and  ideas  that  the  contra- 
ry can  be  aiferted.  But  the  perfe<ftion  of  the  fecial 
ftate  cannot  be  attained,  without  the  mutual  depend- 
ancfc  of  mankind,  in  that  extenfive  fenfe  in  which  I  have 
exhibited  it.  That  dependance  is,  therefore,  founded 
in  the  confticution  of  nature  itfeif. 


AN  essay;  &c.  35 


CHAPTER    IV. 

FINAL  CAUSES  of  the  y  kKlY.TY  ©/"huMAN  TALINTS. 


IT  is  evidently  the  intention  of  Divine  Providence 
in  beftowing  upon  different  perfons  different  pow- 
ers and  abilities,  to  point  them  out  for  different  fta- 
tions  and  circamftances,  to  affjgn  to  them  different  du- 
ties and  taiks,  and  thus  to  promote  mod  effe<5lually 
the  welfare  of  the  human  *fpecies.  By  this  fcheme,  it 
is  unqueftionable,  many  more  advantages  are  obtained, 
with  regard  to  the  belt  intereils  of  mankind,  than  coi.ld 
have  been  fecured  by  difpenfmg  the  fame  portion  of 
ability  and  virtue,  that  diftinguifties  our  fpecies,  on 
any  other  plan  whatever.  For  every  particular  talent 
is  thus  cultivated  with  greater  fuccefs,  when  it  occu- 
pies the  conftant  and  habitual  attention  of  its  poffeffor, 
thao  it  could  have  been  if  he  had  been  overloaded  with 
a  Wiulaplicity  of  employments,  or  diftraded  by  the  ex- 
ercife  of  various  abilities.  A  greater  fum  of  excellence 
is  thus  produced  in  the  fpecies,  and  of  confequence,  its 
p€ife<flion  and  happinefs  is  more  effe(5tually  promoted. 
By  this  plan  of  diiiribution,  moreover,  opportunities 
are  afforded  for  the  exercife  of  many  virtues,  which 
could  not  have  otherwife  exifted.  Thus,  v/ere  all 
equally  wife  and  learned,  no  opportunity  could  be  af- 
forded for  difplaying  either  a  communicative  or  a  do- 
cile difpofition.  Were  all  equally  rich,  or  equally 
powerful,  neither  gcnerofity  nor  gratitude  could  be  ex- 
cited ;  and)  as  there  cculd  be  no  demand  for  fuccour 


AN  ESSAY,  kc. 


and  protecflion,  on  the  one  hand,  fo,  on  the  other,  there 
would  be  no  occafion  for  condefcenfion  and  fympathy. 
Finally,  mankind  by  being  rendered  abfolutely  necefla- 
ry  to  each  other,  are  conftrained  to  maintain  a  mutual 
intercourfe  of  good  offices  ;  and  Ibciety  is  thus  united 
by  the  firmeft  and  moll  lafting  bonds. 

In  fad,  this  diverfity  of  talents  and  virtues  appears 
to  be  Sie  chief  circumftance  which  qualifies  men  for  a 
fecial  and  political  exiftence.  Were  all  endowed  with 
the  fame  definite  portion  of  powers,  of  whatever  kind, 
to  what  purpofe  would  men  aflbciate,  fincc  they  would 
derive  little  mere  ficm  their  union  than  they  in- 
dividually poffefled  ?  An  accumulation  of  mere 
(Irength  would  be  the  only  effed  of  combined  powers, 
in  the  fame  manner  that  fix  horfes  can  draw  a  greater 
weight,  and  to  a  greater  diftance,  than  two.  This 
diverfity  of  abilities,  by  rendering  mankind  mutually 
dependant  from  their  detached  weaknefs,  becomes  the 
ftrongeft  motive  to  aflbciation,  the  moft  powerful  bond 
ef  fociety,  and  its  greateft  excellence  and  perfedioB, 
when  it  is  properly  arranged^  Without  this,  an^  on 
the  fuppoiition  that  the  fame  fpccific  qualities  were, 
as  in  the  brutes,  allotted  to  each  individual,  amore  per- 
fe<5t  equality  would  indeed  be  eftablifhed  among  all  the 
members  of  the  fpecies  ;  bat  it  would  be  an  equality 
afelefs  for  every  purpofe^of  aiTociation,  and  would  ferve 
rather  to  feparate  than  to  unite  them.  This  circum- 
ftance I  am  inclined  to  think,  has  not  hitherto  been  fuf- 
ficiently  confidered,  at  lead  not  in  the  light  in  v/hich 
I  have  reprefented  it.  In  this  light,  thofe  pleas  of  fupe- 
nor  wifdomi  or  of  fupeiior    power,  which  Arilloile,* 

•  Pttl.  I,  f.mot  c.  7^ 


AN  ESSAY,  &c.  55 


and  fonriQ  late  writers,  who  appear  not  very  favorable 
to  the  caufe  of  equal  freedom,  have  urged  as  the  foun- 
dations of  the  dominion  of  one  part  of  mankind  over 
the  reft,  are  dellitute  of  all  force.  For,  if  thefe  pleas 
fho^ild  be  admitted,  even  in  their  utmoft  extent,  they 
will  furnilh  no  ground  for  independant  dominion  and 
fuperiority,  unlefs  it  can  be  proved,  at  the  fame  time, 
that  the  pofleflbrs  of  thefe  qualities  are  equally  endow- 
ed with  every  other  which  is  neceffary  or  conducive  to 
human  felicity.  Should  the  wifdom  and  the  ftrength 
(as  is  commonly  the  cafe)  be  found  indifferent  fub- 
je^s,  it  will  remain  to  be  decided  to  which  the  fn- 
periority  is  to  be  affigned,  and  what  particular  degree 
of  each  of  thefe  qualities  is  neceflary  to  conftitute  ; 
rightful  claim.  Art  and  ingenuity  may  likewife  fup 
pofe  themfelves  entitled  to  fome  portion  of  dominion, 
fince  it  is  undoubted  that  their  influence  is  very  confid 
crable  in  the  affairs  of  life.  In  this  manner,  every 
thing  is  thrown  into  confufion,  and  no  clear  notion  oi 
right  is  any  where  left.  But,  by  the  view  we  have 
taken  of  the  fubje(5l,  (which  will,  I  flatter  myfelf,  be 
found  to  be  the  true  one)  every  man  acquires  a  clear  and 
definite  claim  according  to  the  portion  he  contributes 
to  the  general  welfare,  a  moft  falutary  equality  is  ftill 
left  among  mankind,  and  the  community  is  knit  together 
by  ties  which  cannot  be  dinx)lved,  without  the  oeftruc- 
tion  of  general  and  particular  happinefs.  In  a  word, 
the  flighteft  contemplation  of  human  nature  convinces 
us  that  man  is  defigncd  by  his  Creator  for  fociety,  and 
as  this  was  his  dcftination,  he  is  fb  conftituted  as  t© 
be  impelled  towards  it  by  all  his  propenfities  and  pow- 
ers, and  linked  to  it  by  all  his  wants  and  enjoyments, 
with  whatever  abilities  he  may  be  endowed,  or  in 
whatever  ftation  he  may  be  placed. 


AN  ESSAY,  8ic. 


C  H  A  P  T  E  R    V. 

77v  jiifi   Notkti   of^  the   natural   equality   of  men 

is  placed  in    equality   of  obligation. — The 

proper   tendency    of  ibis   doctrine. 


F  ROM  what  hasbeen  already  fa kl,  it  will  now  fuf- 
ficiently  appear,  that  the  mod  perfe(5l  equality  of 
obligation,  of  benefits  received  and  returned,  fubfifts 
pmong  all  the  members  of  fociety,  of  whatever  denonj- 
ination  or  degree,  who  faithfully  difcharge  their  duties ; 
that  that  dependance,  which  the  proud  and  the  power- 
ful are  fain  to  limit  to  one  fphere  and  ftation,  runs 
through  all  alike,  and  that  independence,  at  which  all 
afpire,  is  no  where  to  be  found  among  men.  For  al- 
though any  human  being  fliould  be  pofTefTed  of  every 
imaginable  perfe<5lion  and  advantage ;  yet  while  he 
lives  in  fociety,  and  abundantly  fatisfies  all  his  focial 
propenfities,  from  which  the  fublimeft  pleafures  of  hu- 
man nature  are  derived,  he  receives  from  mankind 
fuch  an  ample  portion  of  happinefs,  that  he  is  bound 
to  compenfate  it  by  every  return,  whrdi  the  utmoii 
exertion  of  his  abilities  can  enable  him  to  make.  From 
his  elevated  fuperiority  he  is  thus  obliged  to  defcend  to 
the  equality  of  a  citizen,  and  of  a  man. 

In  the  eye  of  reafon,  therefore,  and  of  the  Univer- 
fal  Parent,  every  honeft  ftation  of  life  is  equally  ho- 
norable,  fince  they  are  all  but  parts  of  the  great  fo- 
cial  body  which,  hi?  wifdom  has  piauincd,  and  his  pow^ 


AN  ESSAY,  Stc,  p 

tr  prefcrvcs.  In  this  view,  no  human  creature  is  more 
or  lefs  worthy  than  another,  but  in  as  far  as  he  dii- 
eharges  or  negle<5ls  the  part  allotted  to  him,  and  aug- 
ments or  diminifties  the  fum  of  general  felicity  ;  or  as 
he  occupies  a  place  which  he  is  incapable  of  filling, 
deprives  others  jf  their  juft  ftation,  fnatches  from 
them  the  rewards  to  which  they  are  entitled,  or  pre- 
vents them  from  performing  the  duties  of  the  ftation 
in  which  they  are  placed,  and  of  the  fphere  in  which 
they  move. 

The  principles  above  eftablifiied  are  widely  differ- 
ent from  thofe  which  pride  and  tyranny  eri>brace  and 
inculcate.  If  men  are  endowed  with  fuperior  abilities, 
or  raifed  to  an  exalted  ftation,  they  will  not  eafily  ad- 
mit that,  between  them  and  their  inferiors,  the  depen- 
dance  and  the  obligation  are  reciprocal.  Unlefs  they 
are  diftinguifhed  by  peculiar  generofity  of  feniiment 
they  will  confider  it  as  no  very  pleafing  dodrine  that, 
between  the  fovereign  and  the  fubjeft,  the  magiftrate 
and  the  people,  the  great  and  the  mean,  the  rich  and 
the  poor,  the  acute  and  the  dull,  the  learned  and  the 
ignorant,  there  is  no  difference  but  in  the  pofTeflion  of 
.different  powers,  and  in  the  difcharge  of  different  of- 
fices peculiar  to  each  capacity,  and  ufeful  to  all  ;  and 
that,  if  the  firft  have  a  juft  demand  on  the  fecond  for 
iubmiflipn  and  obedience,  for  honor  and  refpci^l,  for 
convenience  and  eafe,  the  fecond  have  as  juft  a  claim 
on  them  for  protedion  and  defence,  for  the  adminif- 
tration  of  juftice,  and  the  prefervation  of  equal  liberty, 
for  the  fupply  of  their  wants  and  the  relief  of  their  dif- 
treffes,  for  inftru(flion  and  good  example.  Pride  and 
tyranny  would  place,  on  -T  :  one  fide,  all  honor  and 
#'e(pe<fl,  .and  nothbg  but  din^gard    and  contempt  oa 


3S  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 

the  other  ;  here,  all  opprefTion  and  violeiacc,  and  thew, 
all  patience  and  fubmillion  ;  here,  all  convenience  and 
pleafurc,  and  there,  all  labour  and  indigence  ;  here 
would  have  the  fmallefl:  affiftance  to  be  confidered  as 
an  eternal  obligation,  and  there,  the  greateft  fervices 
to  pafs  for  indifpenfible  duties.  With  fuch  fentiments, 
it  is  no  wonder  that  the  mutual  dependance  and  obli- 
gation of  men  Ihould  be  rejected  as  a  dangerous  and 
odious  dodrine,  equally  fubverfivc  of  public  order,  and 
of  private  right.  Thofe  who  think  and  a(ft  in  this 
manner,  either  making  no  returns  for  the  benefits  they 
receive  from  fociety,  or  pofTefling  no  capacity  to  make 
them,  are  eager  to  reprefent  every  notion  of  mutual 
obligation  and  equality  among  men,  as  imaginary  and 
prefumptuous,  and  to  oblige  the  world  to  look  on  them 
as  its  eftablifhed  lords.  But  fuch  opinions  can  never 
retain  their  influence,  when  knowledge  has  begun  to 
make  any  progrefs,  and  mankind  to  underitand  their 
own  nature  and  dignity.  The  bodies  of  men  can 
never  be  enflaved,  when  their  minds  are  free  ;  and  the 
mod  diligent  care  of  all  defpots,  of  whatever  rank  or 
denomination,  ever  has  been,  and  ever  muft  be,  to  keep 
mankind  in  ignorance.  As  focn  as  knowledge  dif- 
fufes  her  light  over  the  dungeon  in  v/hich  they  are  en- 
chained, the  doors  are  thrown  open,  and  their  chains 
fall  off.  In  fa<5l,  pride  and  tyranny,  by  deftroying  that 
mutual  obligation,  and  that  juft  equality  which  we 
Jiave  now  eftahliQied,  fap  the  very  pillars  which  fupt 
port  gre:itnefs  and  difplay  fplendor.  For,  if  there  is  no 
mutual  obligation,  no  parity  of  right,  then  power,  on 
the  one  hand,  and  weaknefs  on  the  other,  are  the  onlf 
bonds  of  focial  or  civil  union.  It  is  eafy  to  fee  where, 
in  fuch  circumftances,  the  greateft  power  will  be  found ; 
whether  in  the  hands  of  the  poor,  the  mean,  the  illitcr*- 


AN  ESSAY,  &€.  55 

••••••...•^••t 

ate ;  or  in  thofc  of  the  rich,  the  great,  the  learned,  and 
the  ingenious.  But  if  the  grand  principle  of  equality  of 
obligation,  and  of  mutual  dependance,  is  adopted  in 
©pinion,  as  it  is  eftabliOied  in  nature,  if  ftations  and  of. 
fices  are  neither  unjuftly  ufurped,  nor  their  duties  per- 
^dioufly  and  weakly  performed,  the  obligation  to  obe- 
dience and  fubmiflion  is  as  ftrorig  on  inferiors,  as 
that  of  juftice  and  difmterefted  'zeal  for  the  public 
good  is  on  rulers  and  magiftrates  ;  and  the  honor  ob- 
tained by  diftinguifhed  abilities  is  equally  due  to  their 
po/feflbrs,  as  the  fruits  of  their  honefl  labour  are  due 
to  the  lower  orders  of  the  community.  This  principle 
places  the  fabric  of  fociety  on  a  firm  and  lading  foun- 
dation, and  all  the  parts  of  the  building,  however  dif- 
ferent in  point  of  fplendor  and  ornament,  are  fo  clofely 
connedled,  and  fo  neceffary  to  the  whole,  that  none  of 
them  can  be  removed  or  defaced,  without  injuring  the 
beauty  or  the  folidity  of  the  ftru<5lure.  This  equally 
balances  all  the  parts  and  members  of  the  fecial  body, 
makes  pre-eminence  itfelf  emerge  from  common  inter- 
eft,  and  again  deprefTes  that  feparate  independence 
which  pre-eminence  would  afPaxne,  by  refening  it  to 
that  coUedlive  power  from  which  it  Is  wholly  derived. 
A  cOnftant  balance,  and  rsadlion  of  obligation  and 
duty,  is  thus  maintained  through  all  the  departments 
of  fociety,  fimilar  to  what  we  obferve  in  nature.  As 
exhalations  and  vapours  from  the  ocean  and  the  lowir 
parts  of  the  earth,  refting  on  the  tops  of  mountains, 
form  the  fprings  whence  are  derived  the  rivers  that  wateV 
and  fertilize  the  different  regions  ©f  the  globe,  and  re- 
turn at  lall  into  the  ocean,  and  thus  a  conftant  circu- 
lation  is  maintained  ;  fo  the  more  elevated  fphere  of 
fociety  derive  their  political  exiftence  and  energy  from 
riic  general  mafs,  and,  if  properly  failed,  diffufe  through  . 


40  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 

the  whole  focial  body  a  falutary  influence,  which  again 
ierves  to  maintain  their  4ignity  and  fplendor.  The 
individuals  that  occupy  thefe  fphcres,  detached  from 
fociety,  and  confidered  merely  as  individuals  of  the  hu- 
man race,  are  entitled  to  no  diftin<5Hon  or  fuperioritj, 
but  what  arifes  from  corporeal  or  mental  qualities, 
which  are  the  diilinftions  of  nature.  But  viewed  in 
their  connexion  with  the  political  body,  they  claim 
their  pre-emii)ence  and  power,  on  the  fame  principle 
l>y  which  fociety  is  held  together,  namely,  that  the 
general  good  mull  limit  the  pretenfions  of  individuals. 


This  is  that  squally  of  mankind,  which  has  been  f» 
©ften  aiferted,  but  is  feldom  well  underftood — an  equal' 
ity  which  the  proud  and  tyrannical  difdain,  becaufe  it 
oppofes  their  felfi(hnefs  or  indolence — an  equality  which, 
turbulent  and  defigning  men  are  fain  to  abufe  as  an 
engine  for  overturning  regularity  and  government, 
and  for  iatroducing  that  anarchy  in  the  midft  of  which 
they  themfelves  are  to  rife.  It  is  an  squality  which 
implies  fubordination —  an  equality  of  wants,  with  a 
divcrfity  of  means  of  fupplying  them — an  equality  of 
obligation,  with  different  modes  of  difcharging  It.  It 
is  an  equality  which,  by  rendering  all  equally  neceflary, 
makes  all,  who  faithfully  difcharge  their  duties,  equal-. 
iy  honorable  in  the  fight  of  God  ;  but,  by  requiring 
higher  and  lower  ftations,  and  various  diftindions  and 
fpheres,  eftablifhes  different  degrees  of  refpedability 
and  honor  among  men.  It  is  an  equality  which  de- 
grades none  but  the  tyrant,  the  ruffian,  the  thief,  the 
voluptuary,  and  the  fiuggard  ;  and  exalts  all,  but  thefe> 
to  the  ennobling  dignity  of  conftituent  members  of 
the  grand  community  of  majikind,  and  of  fellow  la- 


AN  ESSAY,  &c.  41 


bourers  with  God  in  advancing  the  felicity  of  his  moral 
and  intelledual  creation. 

Not  kfs  abfurd  than  pernicious,  therefore,  is  that  ic- 
vellmg  notion,  u-hich  confounds  all  diliinflions  and 
ranks,  annihilates  fubordination,  and  deftroys  that  jiilt 
equality  which  is  founded  in  nature,  and  in  human 
happincfs.  While  this  frantic  opinion  is  direcfdy  con- 
trary to  the  appointment  of  God  in  the  eftablilhment 
of  fociety,  and  horribly  deftrudive  in  its  confequences, 
it  commonly  tends,  hke  every  other  extravagant  and 
vicious  padlon,  to  fruftrate  its  own  gratification. 
Taking  liccniioufnefs  for  liberty ^  it  becomes  the  greatcih 
promoter  of  defpotifm.  For,  as  nothing  has  brought 
religion  more  into  difrepute,  than  bigotry,  fanaticiim, 
and  hypocrify,  which  have  fo  often  ailumed  that  vene- 
rable  and  facred  name ;  and  as  nothing  has  brought 
fo  much  difgrace  on  philofophy,  both  in  ancient  and 
modern  times,  as  the  profligate  lives  of  pretended  phi  • 
lofophers  ;  fo  licentioiifnefs,  appearing  under  the  difguire 
of  liberty^  has  a  dire(5l  tendency  to  render  it  either 
odious  or  contemptible.  The  tyrannical  opprefTcrs  of 
their  fellow  men,  and  their  fervile  abettors,  eagerly 
lay  hold  of  the  horrid  exceffes  which  licentioufncfs 
produces,  and  at  which  they  fecretly  rejoice,  as  infidclfi 
delight  m  the  corruptions  of  religion  ;  paint  them  with 
the  deepeft  colours  of  an  inflamed  imagination  ;  and 
afcribe  them  with  triumph  to  thofe  principles  of  true 
liberty,  to  which  they  are  fo  repugnant  in  their  origin, 
and  fo  pernicious  in  their  confequences.  The  ignorant 
multitude,  incapable  of  diftinguifliing  appearances  from 
realities,  haftily  admit  both  the  affertion  and  its  infer- 
ence, and  feek  refuge  from  anarchy  in  the  chains  of 
defpotifm.  The  wife,  however,  and  the  good,  wiU 
D2 


AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


equally  guard  againft  the  wild  declamation  of  the  de- 

xnagogue,  and  the  crafty  infinuations  of  the  tyrant 
will  hold  raft  thofe  eternal  principles  of  equity  which 
God  has  impre^ed  on  their  fouls,  and,  if  they  cannot 
tivmce  their  truth,  or  inculcate  their  pradlice  on  man- 
kind, will  deplore  the  blindnefs  and  the  corruption  of 
their  fpecies,  and  pray  that  the  Father  of  Light  may 
at  laft  unfold  a  day  of  knowledge  and  ferenity, 
when  the  benignant  voice  of  truth  ihall  neither  be 
ftiSed  by  the  mandate  of  tyranny,  nor  drowned  by 
the  acclamations  of  tumult ;  when  the  power  of  op- 
preffion  fhall  be  extinguifiied  together  with  the  defirc 
©fit;  when  freedom  fhall  be  eftabliihed  on  the  bafis 
<5f  fubordination,  and  fecured  by  obedience  to  law ; 
when  men  ftiall  be  attached  to  juftlce  by  the  permaneBt 
bleffings  of  fecurity  and  peace. 


AN  ESSAY,  ftc.  43 


CHAPTER    VI. 

Scnie  Clrcumjlances  ^e(^ality  not  ;jet  anfidered. 


HAVING,  in  the  preceding  chapters,  cjcplained 
the  chief  foundation  on  which  it  may  be  afTerted 
that  all  men  are  equal-^  in  as  far  as  relates  to  every 
fecial  and  civil  duty,  I  fhall  now  briefly  point  out  fe- 
veral  other  refpe(^s  in  which  the  equality  of  mankind 
is  farther  evident. 

I.  All  men  are  endowed  with  the  fame  frame  of 
body,  and  with  the  fame  general  conftitution  of  mind. 
Notwithftanding  the  diverfities  which  obtain  among 
individuals,  in  point  of  higher  or  lower  degrees  of  ex- 
cellence in  any  of  the  original  faculties  of  our  nature, 
all  the  fpecies,  excepting  fome  uncommon  andmonftrous 
inftances,  is  chara(5lenfed  by  the  fame  members  and  or- 
gans of  body,  and  by  the  fame  faculties,  propenfities 
and  affedions  of  foul.  Does  the  richefl:,  the  moft  pow- 
erful, the  moft  beautiful,  the  moft  ingenious  among 
the  fons  of  men,  feel  lefs  the  hrSt  of  hunger  and  thirft, 
of  cold  and  pain,  than  thofe  of  contrary  defcriplions  ; 
or  are  thefe'laft  lefs  diftinguiftiedthan  the  former,  by  the 
general  conftrudlion  and  organs  of  the  human  frame  ? 
Do  not  the  rich  and  the  poor,  the  obfcure  and  the  ele- 
vated, come  into  the  world  in  the  fame  ft  ate  of  imbecility 
and  wretchednefs  ?  Is  the  infant  of  r>pulent  parents 
pofleiTed  of  greater  vigor,  or  does  be  require  lefs  the 
affiftance  of  thofeonwhofecarehe  is  immediately  caft, 
thaa  the  Itifaat  of  the  peajfant  or  the  beggar  i  Qxa.  h« 


44  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


already  difcern  and  provide  his  food, ufe  his  limbs,  defeird 
himfelf  from  danger,  an!^,  by  his  hereditary  indepen- 
dence, vindicate  the  true  fuperiority  of  his  condition  ? 
So  far  is  any  of  thefe  from  being  the  cafe,  that,  if  there 
is  any  difference  in  thefe  refpe^s,  between  him  and 
the  infant  of  meaner  rank,  it  is  all  in  favor  of  the  latter. 
This,  from  the  ftrong  and  healthy  conftitution  of  his 
parents,  brings  along  vv^ith  him  a  frame  naturally  vi- 
gorous and  robuft,  and  requiring  only  the  moft  ordi- 
nary care  for  its  nourifhment,  its  prefervation,  and  its 
final  maturity.  The  other  often  inherits  from  thofe 
who  begat  him,  afickly  and  (lender  conftitution,  which 
the  utmoft  attention  and  afliduity  can  hardly  preferve 
from  extindlion  in  the  moment  of  birth,  and  afterwards 
more  frequently  debilitate  than  ftrengthen. 

Again,  the  fame  natural  principles,  propenfuies  and 
affections,  operate  on  all  mankind  with  different  degrees 
of  force,  according  to  their  different  fituations.  All 
men,  of  whatever  rank  or  condition,  are  ftrongly  adu- 
ated  by  a  principle  of  felf-prefervation,  by  the  love  of 
liberty,  by  the  defire  of  pleafure  and  an  averfion  to 
pain,  by  the  love  of  fociety  and  a  dljQike  of  folitude,  by 
the  parental,  conjugal  and  filial  attachments,  by  a 
fenfe  of  honor,  by  refentment  of  injuries,  and  by  a 
certain  affedion  for  their  country.  None  are  deftitute 
of  fome  perception  of  beauty,  order,  and  magnificence 
in  the  works  of  nature  and  art,  and  none,  but  fuch  as 
are  monftroufly  corrupted,  are  infenfible  to  the  eternal 
diftin6lions  of  right  and  wrong,  of  virtue  and  vice, 
of  truth  and  error,  in  human,  judgments  and  adions. 
Even  the  moft  ftupid,  ignorant  and  perverfe  of  the 
human  fpecies,  differ,  irr  this  refped,  from  the  brutes, 
tha.t  as  they  remember  the  paft,  aad  anticipate  the  fu- 


AN  ESSAY,  Ictf.  4JF, 

ture,  fo  they  arc  capable  of  forming  and  putfuing  fomc 
plan  of  life,  of  conceiving  fome  fyftem  of  happinefs 
which  they  defire  to  attain,  or  fome  image  of  mifery 
which  they  endeavor  to  avoid.  No  human  being  there- 
fore, enjoys  or  fuffers  like  the  inferior  animals,  accor- 
ding to  the  blind  impulfes  of  appetite,  or  the  unantici- 
pated impreffionsof  fenfe,  but  has  fome  previous  delibe- 
ration and  choice,  with  regard  to  the  objeds  of  defire 
and  averfion.  Every  mortal  alfo  feels  that^  by  the 
birth-right  of  human  nature,  he  is  entitled  to  certain 
rights,  of  which  he  cannot  be  deprived  without  ceafmg 
to  be  a  man,  or  without  envying  the  condition  of  the 
inferior  creatures.  Thefe  are  the  common  features  of 
humanity  which  characterize  all  the  fpecies,  and  eftab- 
lifli  among  them  fo  many  points  of  equality. 

II.  All  men  are  equal  in  being  equally    cxpofed  to 
▼Iciflitudes  and   to  death.     To  attempt  any  proof  of 
thefe  fafts,  would  be  nugatory  and  ridiculous.      But 
the  confequences  to  be  deduced  from  them,  with  lef- 
pedl  to  the  light  in  which  the  different  orders  and  dcf- 
criptions  of  men  ought  to  view  each  other,  are  not  fo 
evident,  or  at  leaft  poflefs  not  that  influence  over  the 
heart,  to  which  they  are  in  reafon  entitled.     For,  if  the 
moft  exalted  of  mankind  muft,  as  well  as  the  loweft, 
fubmit  to  the  ftroke  of  death,  and  moulder  the  prey  of 
worms  in  the  grave,  if  this  event  equally]  hangs  over 
his  head  every  moment,  and  when  it  happens,  muft 
ftrip  him  of  every  external  diftin<5lion,  can  any  preten- 
fions  be  more  abfurd  than  thofe  of  pride,  which  are 
folely  founded  on  a  pre-eminence  fo  tranfient  and  un- 
certain ?  For  any  one,  therefore,  to  value  himfelf  on 
fuch  tranfitory  diftindions,  is  as  ridiculous  as  it  would 
be  for  a  traveller  to  imagine  himfelf  proprietor  ef 
erery  field  through  which  be  paiTed. 


jjSr  AK  ESSAY,  iix. 

Befides,  the  ftations  which  difcriminatc  tkf  di£ferent 
orders  of  fociety,  are  by  no  means  permanently  at- 
tached to  any  number  of  individuals  that  may  r.ow 
tnjoy  them,  or  to  -their  defcendents.  They  are  fubjeil 
to  many  viciffitudes,  andhave  a<:on(laBt  tendency  to 
change*  As  the  part^  of  material  nature  are  in  per- 
petual fluctuation,  and  are  fometimcs  altered  by  fe- 
cret  and  filent  decays,  fometimes  by  violent  convul- 
fions,  by  tempefts,  huiricanes,  inundations,  earthquakes 
and  volcanos,  fo  the  various  orders  of  fociety  arc  ex- 
pofed  to  conftant  changes,  partly  by  fudden  and  vio- 
lent agitations,  partly  by  thofe  fccret,  but  certain  cau- 
fts,  which  are  continually  operating  the  exaltation  or 
the  depreffion  of  men.  Foreign  wars  cr  domeftic 
commotions,  (ignal  calamities  or  uncommon  profpcr- 
ity,  illuflrious  virtues  or  flagrant  vices,  produce  the 
moft  wonderful  alterations  in  human  fortunes.  Lea- 
ving the  public  tranfa<fHons  of  our  own  times,  which 
furniih  mod  ftriking  proofs  of  this  fa<5t,  what  number- 
lefs  inftances  croud  into  the  mind  while  it  revolves  the 
events  of  ancient  or  modern  hiftory  ! 

Fortuna  faevo  laeta  negctio  et 
Ludum  infolcntem  ludere  pertinax 
Tranfmutat  incertos  honores. 
Nunc  milii  nunc  alii  benigna*. 

Hoa.  Od.  1.  iii.  29. 

•P«r  fortune  ever  changing  dams 

In.iiilges  her  malicioui  joy, 
And  to\nft«nt  plays  her  haughty  ganoc^ 

Prow<i  of  her  office  to  def^roy; 
Toiay  to  me  her  bounty  flows, 
And  a»w  oa  oziitcs  ihe  the  blifs  beftoWi. 

FRArrcis*s  Tfanfiat}«»t, 


AN  ESSAY,  kt^  47 


There  is,  Isefides,  in  every  (Nation  a  certain  tenden- 
cy ta  change,  and  the  fame  caufes  that  produced  the 
elevation  of  the  higher  orders  of  men,  are  impercepti- 
bly operating  alfo  in  favour  of  others  pi  aced  in  inferi- 
or conditions.  As  a  projeftile,  when  it  has  reached 
Its  higheft  point  of  elevation,  begins  immediately  to 
defcend,  and  continues  its  courfe  downwards  with  an 
accelerated  velocity  ;  fo  there  appears  to  be  a  certain 
point  of  exaltation,  beyond  which  human  grandeur 
cannot  proceed,  and  which,  by  being  the  termination 
of  fplendor,  becomes  the  beginning  of  decline,  and  of 
iiiial  precipitation.  On  the  other  hand,  as  the  feed  of 
a  tree,  from  the  moment  it  is  dropped  into  the  ground, 
is  continually  expanding,  and  receiving  from  the  earth 
new  additions  to  its  growth,  till  it  noingle  its  branches 
with  the  clouds,  and  cover  the  foil  with  its  fhade  ;  in 
like  manner,  among  the  lower  orders  of  men,  there  are 
evident  principles  of  increafe  and  amelioration  of 
their  condition,  which  fail  not  to  operate  fuccefsfully 
when  they  are  favoured  by  opportunities. 

For,  what  are  the  vices  which  are  apteft  to  Infe(*1: 
elevated  and  aMuent  circumftances  ;  and  what  the  vir- 
tues which  an  humble  and  hard  lot  moft  eafily  engen- 
ders and  cherifhes  ?  In  the  former,  we  often  behold 
pride,  which  excites  indignation  and  hatred,  and,  con- 
fequendy,  combinations  to  reprefs  it.  We  behold  lux- 
ury and  extravagance,  which  w^fte  rapidly  the  moft 
fplen^id  fortunes,  and  incapacitate  for  exertion  and 
activity.  We  behold  careleflhefs  and  inattention, 
which  allow  people's  affairs  to  run  into  diforder,  and 
occafion  irreparable  confufion  at  laft.  We  often  be- 
hold, extortion,  opprefllon,  and  flagrant  abufe  of  pow- 
CTi  in  order  to  ret;:ieye  brokeo  circumHanc**,  which 


Ht  AN  ESSAY,  kc 


iiaften  the  rmn  they  are  employed  to  prcvtntj  and  pi#- 
duce  indelible  difgr^cfi. 

In  an  humble  and  feverc  lot,  we  frequently  fee  hu- 
mility and  modefty,  which  never  fail  to  conciliate 
complacency.  We  fee  patience  and  frugality,  of 
which  the  former  renders  the  hardeft  condition  tolera- 
ble, and  the  latter  draws  eafe  from  penury.  We  fee 
induftry,  and  a  fuccefsful  exertion  of  abilities,  which 
firfl;  make  men  ufeful  and  indifpenfibly  neceffary  even 
to  their  fuperiors  ;  then  bring  them  into  notice  and 
regard  ;  and^Jaftly,  raife  them  to  truft  and  affluence. 
Thus,  while  thofe  who  are  placed  in  the  higheft  fta- 
tions,  fuppofmg  they  have  no  exertions  to  make,  bc- 
caufe  they  have  reached  the  pinnacle  of  human  great- 
nefs,  are  verging  towards  decline  and  obfcurity,  thofe 
who  move  in  an  inferior  fphere,  urged  by  their  necef- 
fities,  or  fl-Jriakted  by  their  ambition,  are  making 
conftant  effort?-  to  rife,  watching  every  favourabl*  op- 
pcrtunity  of  fuccefs,  and  filently  climbing  the  fteep 
freni  which  the  former  are  defcending.  Where  are 
now  thofe  illuftrious  families  that  occupy  fuch  a  re- 
rr.7-kable  place  in  ancient  hiftory  ?  They  are  not  fure- 
ly  all  cxtindl  ;  their  defcendants,  doubtlefs,  exift  fome- 
where  upon  the  earth.  But  they  are  confounded 
with  the  general  mafs  of  mankind,  while  others  have 
arifen  to  (liine  in  the  fphere  from  which  they  have  de- 
parted. It  is  thus  that  Divine  Providence,  which  haS| 
for  the  wifeft  reafons,  eftablilhed,  an  inequality  of  fta- 
tions  and  talents  among  men,  has  by  allowing  their 
virtues  and  vices  to  operate  their  na  tural  efFe<51s  of  al- 
ternate depreffion  and  exaltation,  reftored  the  balance* 
which  difappears  from  the  view  of  fuperficial  obfeJr» 
ycr». 


AN  ESSAY,  &c.  49 

III.     If  we  juftly   eftimate  the  advantages  and   hi- 
conveniencies  of  every  condition   of  life,   we  ftiall  find 
that  they  nearly  balance  each  other,  that  the   fum   of 
happinefs,  fhared  among  the  human  fpecies,  is  divided 
in  pretty  equitable  portions  ;    and  that  equality  of  en- 
joyment  is   another  ground,    on  which   the  different 
ranks  of  fociety,  if  not  the  individuals  that  are  placed 
in  them,  are  on  a  level.     The  grand  difference,  in  this 
refped,  confifts  in  what  is  appropriated  to  no  ftation  or 
fortune,  but  is  equally  open  to  them  all  — internal   dif- 
pofition  and  charader  ;  which  it  is  unqueftionable  may 
be  difplayed  in  their  greateft  excellence,  and    enjoyed 
in  their  higheft   perfedion,  in  the  loweft,  as  well   as  in 
the  mod  elevated,  fphere.     As  the  different  regions  of 
the  globe,  however  removed  from  the  Equator,  or  the 
Poles,    enjoy  equal   meafures   of    light  and  aarknefs, 
though  diftributed  in  different  manners  ;    fo  the   diffe- 
rent orders  of  fociety  poffefs  equal  portions  of  felicity, 
and  are  expofed  to  equal  pains,  though  the   modes  of 
enjoyment  and  fuffering  be  diverfified.  If  the  honors  of 
an  exalted  ftation  are  greater  than  chofe  of  an  humble 
one,  its  duties  are  alfo  more  difficult ;   if  its  virtues  are 
more  fplendid,  its  temptations  are   more  enticing,  and 
its  vices  more  confpicuous  ;  if  its  enjoyments  are  more 
refined,  its  fufferings  are  more  acute,  and  its  aiBicflions 
more  durable.     Is  it  fuppofed  that  the  burden  of  labor 
is  heavier  than  that  of  indolence,  or   the  pains  of  indi- 
gence greater  than  thofe  of  fcnluality  ?    Confider   that 
health  often  fmiles,  on  the  cheek,  of  poverty,  vvhile  dif- 
eafe  deforms  the  face  of  opulence.       Do  any  imagine 
that  the  folicitude  of  providing  daily  fubfiftence  is  great- 
er than  that  which  attends  the  improvement,  or  the  fe- 
curity,  of  an  extenfive  eftate — that  the  real  wants    of 
tinturc  affoidmore  anxiety  and   care,  tliaa  the  imagi- 
E 


AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


nary  demands  of  extravagance — that  the  evils  whick 
are  really  felt,  are  greater  than  thofe  v/hich  diftemper- 
ed  fancy  creates  ? — let  fuch  confider  the  difcontent, 
the  uneafniefs,  the  deje<5lion,  the'wayvt^ard  humours  and 
the  fuUen  gloom,  that  fo  often  haunt  the  great  and  the 
wealthy,  and  acknowledge  that  deep  vifits  the  couch 
•f  flraw,  and  flies  from  the  bed  of  down. 

Do  any  imagine  that  it  is  more  difficult  to  purfuc, 
with  conftancy  and  firmnefs,  the  rugged  and  thorny 
paths  of  the  humble  vale  of  life,  than  to  maintain  the 
elevated  pofts  of  dignity  and  honor,  in  the  midft  of  in- 
trigue, of  competition,  of  clamour,  and  of  all  the  un- 
certainty of  favor  ? — Let  them  refled  on  the  folici- 
tudes  and  the  terrors  of  the  public  governor,  when  un- 
fuccefsful  iffues  attend  his  adminiftration,  when  the 
tide  of  popular  approbation  begins  to  ebb,  when  his 
enemies  fpread  difcontent  through  the  land,  reprefent 
him  to  the  people  as  the  author  of  their  calamities,  and 
roufe  them  to  facrifice  him  as  the  vidim  of  their  fury. 
The  ftorm  often  buries  on  ttiQ  palace,  when  it  pafles 
inofFenfively  over  the  cottage  ! 

IV.  All  men  are  equal  in  having  fome  peculiar  du- 
ty to  difcharge,  fome  peculiar  advantages  for  the  ex- 
hibition of  correfponding  virtues,  fome  peculiar  temp- 
ialions  to  correfponding  vices,  and  in  being  placed  in  % 
courfe  of  probation  for  a  future  and  final  (late.  If 
the  duties  of  each  ftation  are  properly  difcharged,  its 
virtues  proportionably   difplayed,  and  its    temptations 

'.Mrmounted,  it  is  difficult  to  fay  whether  the  greateft 
'praile  is  due  to  the  fuperior  or  inferior  ranks  of  fociety. 
^i  the  duties  or  the   virtues  of  either  are   negledled,  or 

its  temptatioas  allowed  to  prevail,  the  blame  is  equal 


AN  ESSAY,  kt.  51 

en  both  fides,  altliough  the  punlfhments  are  frequent- 
ly diftributed  very  unequally  under  human  govern- 
ments. That  all  men  are  at  prefent  placed  in  a  pre- 
paratory ftate  for  a  future  exiflence,  both  natural  and 
revealed  religion  concur  in  evincing.  It  is  no  lefs  evi- 
dent, from  the  external  principles  by  which  the  divine 
government  is  adminiftered,  that  the  charaders  which 
men  have  acquired  in  the  prefent  period  of  being,  will 
be  the  only  meafures  ofr.heir  future  fate,  and  that  all 
thofe  diftin6lions,  which  are  wholly  external,  will  then 
difappear  forever  !  If  any  regard  is  then  paid  to  the 
different  ftations  which  men  have  occupied  here  below, 
it  will  only  be  in  order  to  determine  how  far  they  have 
difcharged  the  duties  of  them,  and  what  degree  of  me- 
lit,  or  demerit,  is  to  be  affigned  to  each  individual,  ac- 
CGiding  to  the  talents  he  poffeifed,  and  the  opportuni^ 
ties  he  enjoyed  for  the  pra6lice  of  every  virtue.  Here 
all  men  are  placed  on  the  moft  perfect  equality,  have 
the  fame  hopes,  the  fame  fears,  the  fame  pleas  to  urge, 
the  fame  titles  to  produce,  or  rather  are  levelled  by  the 
fame  incapacity  of  all  merit  but  what  is  derived  from 
the  clemency  of  the  Great  Judge,  operating  through 
the  plan  of  falvation  he  has  eftabiilhed.  With  his 
eyes  turned  to  this  fcene,  with  any  adequate  impreffion 
of  this  awful  confummation  onhis  heart,  (and  mad  muli 
he  be  to  whofe  mind  fuch  thoughts  are  never  prefent  ! ) 
can  any  one  deny  the  equality  of  mankind,  nor  per- 
ceive the  empty  titles,  and  tinfel  fplendors,  and  idle 
pageants  of  this  tranfitory  period,  fvvimming  before  his 
fight,  and  finally  difappearing,  like  the  dreams  which 
occcupy  his  fancy  in  lleep,  but  £ddQ  and  are  forgotten 
when  he  opens  his  eyes,  and  again  enjoys  the  reality  ®f 
things. 


AN 

ESSAY,    &c. 


BOOK     IL 

mat   are   the   RIGHTS   refulting  from   the  Natural 
EQUALITY  <j/MEN. 


C  H  A  P  T  E  R     I. 

Of  the  MANNER  in  'which  n.ve  acquire  our  notion  <?/rights. 


I 


N  the  dlfcuffion  of  meral  and  metaphyfical  fiibjeas, 
_  hardly  any  thing  has  occafioned  greater  obfcunty, 
and,  of  conlequence,  more  violent  dirputes,  than  the 
ambiguity  of  terms,  and  the  vague  and  indeterminate 
ideas  annexed  to  them  by  different  parties.  Of  this  no 
word  can  alFord  a  more  ftriking  inftance  than  the  term 
right,  efpecially  when  applied  to  denote  a  moral^  capa- 
city to  aa,  to  popfs,  or  to  dema7id,  in  certain  circum- 
ftances.  Of  this  the  notion  will  be  found  to  be  as  va^^ 
rlous  as  the  philofophical  or  religious  fyRems  which 
men  have  adopted,  the  profeffions  which  they  have  em- 
braced, the  ftations  which  they  occupy,  or  the  compa- 
ny they  frequent.  Although  people  may  agree  m 
fome  general  and  indefinite  notions  of  right,  yet,  m 
the  peculiar  ideas  they  entertain  with  regard  to  its  ap- 
plication  to  all  the  particular  objc^s  of  human  ad^io« 
and  purfuit,  it  will  be  found  that  iheJr  conceptions  are 


34  AN  ESSAY,  fee. 

not  reducible  to  any  determinate  ftandard.  We  arc 
not,  on  this  account,  however,  to  imagine  that  the 
rights  of  men  are  indefinable,  or  that  there  are  not  ge- 
neral claffes  to  which  they  may  be  reduced.  For,  altho* 
ihe  private  rights  of  individuals  muft  vary  according 
■to  their  different  circumftances  and  relations,  there  are 
ftill  certain  and  permanent  principles  on  which  they 
are  founded,  and  from  which  they  muft  be  deduced, 
in  order  to  diftinguiih  them  from  thofe  powers  which 
fraud  fecretly  obtains,  or  violence  openly  ufurps.  Un- 
lefs  this  were  the  cafe,  laws  and  obligations  would  be 
unmeaning;  words,  and  power  the  only  arbiters  of  right 
And  wrong. 

Without  entering  at  prefent  into  any  abftrufe  and 
refined  fpeculations  concerning  the  foundation  of  moral 
obligation,  I  fhall  only  obfcrve,  that  we  feem  in  general 
to  denominate  that  right,  which  has  a  tendency  to  pro- 
mote the  univeifal  happinefs  of  mankind,  or  that  of  the 
individual  himfelf,  when  it  is  not  repugnant  to  the  more 
exxenfive  intereft,  whether  of  the  whole  fpecies,  or  of 
the  fmalier  communities  into  which  the  fpecies  is  divi- 
ded. To  thefe  two  general  heads,  namely,  tendency  to 
general,  and  tendency  to  particular  happinefs,  whea 
properly  limited,  it  will  be  found  that  every  thing  juft 
and  honorable,  and  praifcworthy,  in  human  fentiments 
and  conduct  is  ultimately  referable.  Whoever  doesf 
or  p^jfejfe Si  or  deinandsy  what  is  conducive  to  the  com- 
mon good,  or  to  his  own  intereft  in  confiftency  with 
this,  that  he  fliould  do,  or  pojfefs  or  demand,  we  fay  he  has 
a  right  to  do,  to  pojefs,  or  to  dsmartd,  it. 

It  is  evident,  that  the  only  notions  we  can  form  to 
*?>ririclves  of  happinefs,  muft  be  derived  from  thofe  ori- 
t^iaal  principles  of  our  nature,  by  which    certain  cbj€  ^ 


AN  ESSAY,  &c.  5i 


arc  conftitutcd  the  means  of  fatisfa<flIon  and  plcafure, 
and  others  the  caufes  of  uneafinefs  aad  pain.  The  for* 
mer  become,  on  that  account,  dejirahle,  and  the  latter 
dijkgreeahh  and  odious.  By  implanting  thefe  defires 
andaverfions  in  the  foul  of  man,  the  Creator  evidently- 
intended  that  they  fhould  be  indulged  within  the  limits 
he  has  prefcribed  to  them  ;  and,  in  order  to  difcover 
thefe  limits,  has  fuperadded  tlie  noble  faculty  of  reafon. 
Accordingly,  there  feems  annexed  to  every  natural 
defire  and  propejifity  of  the  heart,  a  certain  feeling  of  a 
right  to  its  indulgence.  The  original  propenfities  and 
defires  fpring  up  fpontaneoufly  in  the  foul^  and  impel 
it  to  aftion.  In  children,  thefe  are  the  firft  ftimulants 
to  motion  and  activity,  and,  as  they  are  ftill  undireded 
by  the  higher  principles  of  our  nature,  and  by  the  im- 
provements of  experience,  conftitute  their  only  notions 
Qi  right.  As  the  inferior  animals  are  immediately  car- 
ried by  nature  towards  thofe  objeds  which  are  adapted 
to  fatisfy  their  inftin^tive  principles  ;  fo  men,  in  the  firft 
period  of  their  exiftence,  greedily  defire  and  feize  whate- 
ver their  appetites  or  paffions  point  out  to  them  as  agree- 
able, and  confider  it  as  an  injury  to  withhold  from  them 
the  indulgence  ;  but  fuch  is  the  beautiful  order  eftablifti- 
edin  the  human  conftitution,  that  many  of  thefe  propen- 
fities limit  and  balance  each  other,  fo  that  the  immode- 
rate indulgence  of  one  prevents  that  fatisfadtion  of 
others,  which  is  alfo  a  neceffary  ingredient  of  happinefs* 
Different  pains  and  inconveniencies,  foon  experienced 
from  unbridled  propenfities,  fuggeft  the  neceffity  of  mo- 
deration and  felf-command.  The  plegfures  and  the 
advantages  of  fociety,  attach  men  to  their  fpecieis,  and 
point  out,  at  the  fame  time,  the  neceffity  of  regulating 
their  condud  in  fuch  a  manner,  as  to  prevent  their  de- 
fires and  purfuits  from  encroaching  on  the  equally  vm- 
^ural:  defires  and  purfuits  of  others. 


AN  E&SAY,  &€*, 


Reafon^  reeoUcftlng  the  paft,  and  anticipating  the 
future,  eftabllfhes  fuch  rules  of  aftlon  and  enjoymem* 
as  unite  the  perfedion  and  happinefs  of  the  individual 
with  the  general  interefl;  of  the  fpecies,  and  convert  the 
harmonious  movements  of  the  vi'hole  fecial  body  into 
the  moft  efficacious  means  of  promoting  the  happinefs 
of  all  its  members  of  whatever  rank  or  degree.  The 
moral  faculty,  furveying  fuch  a  beautiful  and  falutary 
arrangement,  fandtions  it  with  its  approbation,  and  de- 
crees that  every  human  being  is  bound  to  ad  and  to 
enjoy  in  conformity  to  the  principles  of  this  fyftem. 
The  various  relations  and  circumftances  of  men  being 
confidered  and  defined,  general  maxims  are  formed, 
which  are  denominated  the  taavs  of  nature.  As  the 
human  coniiiLution  is  the  work  of  the  fupreme  Creator, 
whatever  is,  by  juft  inference,  deducible  from  this  con- 
ftitution,  as  a  rule  of  condud  to  man,  is  asjuftly  held 
to  be  a  divine  law,  as  if  the  Omnipotent  Legiflator  had 
proclaimed  it  with  the  mod  audible  voice.  From  thefe 
general  laws,  various  rights  are  deduced  competent  to 
men,  whether  as  inherent  in  their  common  nature,  or 
as  belonging  to  thofe  peculiar  relations  in  which  they 
are  placed,  by  the  neceffary  arrangements  of  fociety. 

In  this  manner,  the  notions  of  the  diiFerecit  r'tghti  of 
men  are  ac-quired. 


AN  ESSAY,  &«.  ff^ 


CHAPTER    II. 

T^f  two  grand  bitisions   cf  fuc^Tt  ^hlch  fotu  from 
the  Natural  equality  of  mankind. 


FROM  the  fhort  deducftion  contained  in  the  prcce*- 
ding  chapter,  joined  to  what  has  been  eftablifhcd 
in  the  firft  book,  it  is  evident  that  there  are  certain 
natural  rights t  which  cannot  be  infringed  without  over- 
tTirning  the  foundations  of  human  fociety,  and  that 
there  are  others  which  belong  only  to  certain  defcrip- 
lions  of  men,  in  confequence  of  that  focial  order  which 
is  neceflary  for  the  general  felicity.  The  former  are  to 
be  confidered  as  the  original  conditions  of  the  focial 
compaft  ;  the  latter  as  the  means  by  which  it  is  to  be 
executed  Tand  both  flow  from  that  idea  of  equality  of 
•bligation,  which  we  have  above  illuftrated. 

In  the  firft  place,  there  arc  certain  principles  fo 
flrongly  interwoven  with  the  human  frame,  fo  inti- 
mately blended  with  its  eflence,  fo  efficient  of  all  that 
can  be  called  humane  that  the  violation  of  them  cannot 
be  regarded  in  any  other  light  than  in  that  of  a  degra- 
dation, nay,  an  entire  extindlion  of  the  diftindlive  attri- 
butes of  the  human  charafler.  Of  confequence,  every 
man  ftipulates,  by  entering  into  fociety  with  his  fpecies, 
that  the  enjoyments  grounded  on  thefe  principles,  or  in 
other  words,  the  rights  which  attach  to  them,  as  the 
gifts  of  God  to  his  rational  creatures,  fhall  be  main- 
tained to  him  inviolate ;  and  referves  to  himfelf  the 
privilege  of  defending  them  at  all  hazards,  whenever  it 


AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


h  attempted  to  wreft  them  from  him.  For,  as  every 
human  being  is  a  conftituent  member  of  the  fecial  body, 
he  is,  while  he  difcharges  the  duties  incident  to  his  pe- 
culiar capacity,  entitled,  equally  with  every  other,  to 
the  grand  prerogatives  of  human  nature,  which  civil 
fociety  is  intended  to  maintain  and  improve.  He  is  as 
neceflary,  as  the  mod  diftinguiflied  of  mankind,  to  the 
general  perf^ition  and  felicity,  and  he  contributes  to  it 
that  portion  which  his  abilities  enable  him  to  furnilh. 
The  rights,  therefore^  which  are  indifpenfibly  necef- 
fary  to  the  prefervation  and  happinefs  of  each  individu- 
al, in  whatever  rank  or  fituation  he  may  be  placed,  mufl: 
equally  belong  to  all,  and  can  never  fuflPer  the  fmalleft 
diminution  from  any  claims  or  prerogatives  attached 
to  the  diftinclions  ©f  fortune,  of  rank,  or  of  talents. 
They  are  the  nece/Tary  appendages  of  that  equality 
which  fubfifts  among  all  men  amidft  the  diveriities 
which  fociety  and  civilization  have  introduced. 

I  ftiall  firft  briefly  enumerate  and  explain  the  inhe- 
rent and  original  rights  of  human  nature,  which  equal- 
ly belong  to  all  men  without  exception  ;  and,  fecond* 
ly,  thofe  adventitious  rights,  which  belong  only  to  par- 
ticular defcriptions  of  men,  as  charadlerized,  whether 
by  particular  talents,  or  by  particular  fituations  in 
civil  life,  but  equally  to  all  to  wb^um  thcfe  defcriptions 
arc  applicable. 


AN  ESSAY,  &c.  ^ 


CHAPTER     III. 
%f   the  ORIGINAL  and  inhir^.nt   rights   £/*  humah 

NATURE. 


i.  TT' VERY  innocent  member  of  foclety  hag  a /^r- 
JLj  feci  right  to  life,  and  to  the  integrity  of  his 
body.  No  principle  is  more  deeply  engraved  in  the 
conftitution  of  all  animals,  than  thatof  felf-prefervation. 
Every  living  creature  has  an  abhorrence  of  difTolution, 
and  a  ftrong  averfion  from  pain,  which  is  a  ftimulant 
dill  more  powerful  than  the  love  ofpleafure  ;  becaufe 
the  removal  of  evil  is  the  fir  ft  ftep  towards  enjoyment. 
Nothing  excites  the  deteftation  of  mankind  more  than 
an  unprovoked  attempt  on  life,  or  even  violent  afTault, 
when  no  more  is  intended  than  to  wound,  or  to  muti- 
late. Befides,  no  man  can  be  ufeful  to  fociety,  but 
in  as  far  as  his  life  is  preferved  and  fecured,  and  bodily 
health  and  vigour  are  necelTary  to  difcharge  the  moft 
important  focial  duties.  The  right  to  thefe  is  facred 
and  inviolable,  and,  whenever  they  are  unjuftly  afTault- 
ed,  every  man  is  entitled  to  defend  them  even  by  the 
{laughter  of  the  aggreffor,  when  every  other  means  of 
fecurity  is  removed.  In  this  right  is  evidently  included 
•that  of  the  pref^rvatlon  of  chaftity  when  attacked. 

II.  Every  man  has  ^.perfeSl  right  to  the  full  fruits  of 
his  own  honeft  ingenuity  and  labour.  The  Creatpr, 
by  beflowing  on  every  perfon  a  certai  n  portion  of  cor- 
poreal or  mental  ability,  plainly  intended  that  it  Ihould 
be  eicercifed.     To  this   enercife  men  are   impelled  by 


Ho  AN  ESSAY,  «cc. 


the  ftlmulants  of  pleafure,  and  of  pain.     Reafon,  whick 
enables  mankind  to  anticipate  futurity,  fuggefts,  from 
the  recolledlion  of  former  wants,  the  neceffity  of  pro- 
viding for  them  when  they  fhall  again  recur.    The  na- 
tural produdions,  which   may  be  rendered  fubfervient 
to  the  ufe  of  man,  neceflarily  become   the    property  of 
the  firft  occupier,  becaufe,  if  they  were  appropriated 
to  none,  they  would  be  ufelefs  to  all  ;  at  leaft,  fuch  of 
them  as  could  afford  no  prefent  ufe  would  remain  ncg- 
le(5led  and  uniiMproved.     For  no  man  will  beftow  la- 
bor and  time  on   that  from  which  he  is  to  receive  no 
profit.     Men   are    ftrongly  affefted  by   a  tender  foli- 
eitude  for    their    offspring    and   near  connecEtions,  to 
whom  they  wifti  to  impart  a  ftiare  of  their  fuperfluities 
during  life,  and  at  death,  to  tranfmit  their  entire  pof- 
ftflions.     They  are  inflamed   with  a   thirft  of  honor 
and  applaufe,  and  eager  to  obtain  them  by  the  difplay 
of  ufeful,  of  elegant,  or  of  fublime,   talents.      Befides, 
while  men  mutually  fupply  each  other  with  what  they 
want,  for  an  equivalent,  fociety  is  more  clofely  cement- 
ed by  a  conftant  interchange  of  the  various  produ(5ls  of 
induftry,  o  f  art,  and  of  wealth  ;  and,  by  the  different 
conditions  of  men  in  point  of  fortune,   opportunity  is, 
as  above  obferved,  afforded  for  the   exercife  of  many 
virtues,  which  could  not  otherwife  exift.      Man's  dou- 
ble capacity,  a^  an  individual,  and  as  a  member  of  foci- 
ety, is  thus  beft  preferved,  and  his  felfifti,  as  well  as  his 
focial,  propenfities  are  gratified.     In  faft,  the  fame 
means  that  enable  him  mod  amply  to  indulge  the  for- 
mer, alfo  qualify  him  for  fatisfying  moft  cffedually  the 
latter.     By  the  exercife  and  cultivation  of  all  his  facul- 
ties, and  by  the  improvement  of  the  opportunities  he 
enjoys,  he  beft  promotes  his  own  private  happinefs,  and, 
in  the  fame  manner,  he  contributes  moft  to  <be  public 


AM  ESSAY,  fcc.  6i 


g9«d.  As  the  perfedlion  and  folidity  of  all  the  parta 
of  a  building,  praduce  the  folidity  and  perfeclion  of  the 
whole ;  fo,  in  human  fociety,  the  profperity  of  all  its 
members  in  their  different  relations  and  circumftances, 
produces  the  fum  of  general  happinefs.  Notwith  (landing 
therefore,  the  Utopian  fyftem  of  a  community  of  goods, 
which  fome  political  projeAors,  fixing  their  eyes  on  par- 
tial views  of  advantage  and  inconvenience,  have  en- 
deavored to  recommend,  and  fomefmaller  focieties  have 
exemplified,  it  is  undoubted  that  both  public  and  pri- 
vate happinefs  require  that  the  right  of  property  fhould 
be  facredly  maintained. 

This  rigk  implies  not  only  that  poflefilons  already 
lawfully  acquired,  (hould  remain  the  inviolable  property 
of  their  pofTeffors,  but  alfo  that  every  hone  ft  and  fair 
mean  of  acquiring  fhould  be  equally  open  to  all  who 
are  placed  in  the  fame  circumftances.  It  requires  that 
9.  fair  field  be  granted  for  the  exercife  of  every  ufefiH 
and  ornamental  talent,  and  that  its  natural  rewardi 
be  not  withheld  from  it.  Partial  and  narrow  fyftems 
of  policy,  whereby  the  intere ft  of  a  few  is  only  con- 
sulted, frequently  cramp  genius,  and  reftrain  induftry, 
to  the  great  prejudice  of  the  common  good. 

Thefe,  however,  with  whatever  pretexts  they  may  be 
poleured,  are  juftly  to  be  accounted  violations  of  the  fa- 
cred  right  of  property,  which  regiards  not  only  what  men 
already  honeftly  poflefs,  but  alfo,  what  they  may  ho- 
neftly  obtain.  The  powers  of  their  bodies,  and  the  fa- 
culties of  their  minds,  are  the  only  property  which 
men  receive  from  nature.  The  exercife  of  thefe  on 
the  various  natural  produdions,  introduced  the  adven^ 
titms  rights  to  thefe  obje<as,  and  inheritance  and  con- 


Vz  -'AN  ESSAY,  ftc. 


tra(5ls  transferred  them  from  their  original  proprietors 
to  their  fuccefTors.  But  the  foundation  of  all  property 
IS  the  common  right  to  the  earth  and  its  produdions, 
which  God  has  granted  to  mankind,  together  with  the 
peculiar  appropriation  which  every  one  made  of  fomc 
portion  of  thefe  to  himfelf,  by  the  ufe  of  his  mental  and 
corporeal  powers.  It  is  abfurd,  therefore,  that  adventi' 
thus  rights  fhould  be  facred,  while  the  primary  means  of 
cquiring  thefe  rights  may  be  wantonly  circumfcribed. 

III.  All  men  have  an  equal  right  to  a  fair  and  ho- 
fteft  charader,  till  it  has  been  proved  that  they  have  juft- 
ly  forfeited  it.  The  lore  of  character  is  deeply  implanted 
in  the  human  breaft,  and  as  it  can  only  be  extinguifhed 
with  the  extin<5lion  of  integrity  ;  fo  it  is  ftrong  in  pro- 
portion to  the  ftrength  of  virtuous  and  elevated  fenti- 
ments.  I'he  lofs  of  reputation,  wounding  one  of  the 
moft  lively  feelings  of  tl»e  human  heart,  is  one  of  the 
sreated  calamities  in  life.      With  the  lofs  of  charader 

o 

many  other  evils  are  unavoidably  conne<5led,  which, 
-while  they  deftroy  the  private  happinefs  of  the  individu- 
al, alfo  fruftrate  his  public  utility.  The  fuccefs  of  a 
perfon  in  the  world,  whether  in  the  improvement  of 
his  fortune,  or  in  the  exercife  of  his  abilities,  depend! 
greatly  on  the  opinion  which  is  entertained  of  his  integ- 
rity. His  ufefulnefs  to  fociety  depends  chiefly  on  the 
confidence  \yhich  his  fellow  men  can  repofe  in  him. 
When  any  man's  honefty  is  queftioned,  his  talents,  far 
from  being  objefts  of  complacency,  are  converted  into 
fou'-ces  of  terror,  and  mankind  naturally  combine  in 
order  to  deprire  ihem  of  thofe  opportunities  of  exertioa 
\vhich  ieem  to  threaten  their  own  fafety. 

Fame,  or   diflingui(h-d  confideration  and  refpe(5t,  be- 
long; oaly  to  eminent  abilities,  virtues  or  flaiions.     But 


AN  ESSAY,  &c.  $g 

* .* 

the  character  of  honefty  belongs  equally  to  all  wh» 
faithfully  difcharge  every  fecial  and  civil  obligatioR* 
Thofe  who,  in  every  fituation  and  circumftance,  whe- 
ther of  exaltation  or  of  obfcurity,  carry  along  with 
them  purity  of  heart  and  integrity  of  condudt,  meet  oa 
the  equal  footing  of  good  men,  and  are  equally  entitled 
to  all  the  enjoyment,  advantage  and  confideration, 
which  that  charad^er  juftly  claims,  and  cannot  fail  to 
poflefs,  if  not  clouded  by  mifreprefentation,  or  ftained 
by  calumny.  The  moft  illuftrious  abilities,  or  the  moft 
exalted  ftation,  give  not,  of  themfelves,  a  better  title  to 
a  fair  and  fpotlefs  charafter,  than  the  moft  moderate 
parts,  or  the  moft  humble  circumftances.  This  r/^^/, 
till  it  is  loft  by  vicious  adlon,  extends  to  all  conditions 
and  ranks  without  exceptiou. 


AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

THE     SAME    SUBJECT    CONTINUED. 


IV.  T?  VERY  man  has  2i  perfea  right  to  liherty,  of 
SLi  to  a<ft  in  whatever  manner  he  pleafes,  pro- 
"vided  he  offers  no  injury  to  others,  and  violates  no  law 
ena<5^ed  by  the  public  authority  of  tlie  civil  fociety  to 
which  he  belongs.  As  foon  as  we  form  the  notion  of 
a  rational  agent,  freedom  immediately  enters  into  the 
concepcicm,  and  all  happinefs  and  all  virtue  reft  on  its 
foundation.  For  as  virtue  confifts  in  the  proper  ufe  of 
ail  our  faculties,  or  in  that  conduft  which  is  fuited  to 
the  human  nature  and  condition ;  fo  happinefs  confifts 
in  the  pofT-flion  of  thofe  enjoyments,  of  which  nature 
has  rendered  us  capable,  and  which  the  right  ufe  of 
reafon  enables  us  to  obtain.  But  how  can  he,  who  is 
deprived  of  the  power  of  regulating  his  own  adions, 
and  of  determining  and  direding  his  purfuits,  either 
e*ert  his  faculties  in  fuch  a  manner  as  is  beft  adapted 
to  their  ends,  or  purfue  thofe  enjoyments,  with  the 
greareft  vigor,  to  which  he  has  affigned  the  higheft  va- 
lue ;  how  can  he,  who  is  fubjedled  to  the  arbitrary  will 
of  another,  contribute  his  portion  to  the  common  order 
and  felicity,  which  refults  from  the  combined  efforts  of 
all  directed  to  this  glorious  and  comprehenfive  end— 
from  the  combined  exertions  of  knowledge,  wifdom, 
ikill,  ingenuity,  dexterity,  art,  labour,  refolution,  and 
vigour,  fhared  among  all  the  members  of  the  focial 
body  ?  Supprefs  the  juft  exertion  of  any  of  thefe  fepa- 
riie  portions,  juft  fo  much  is  cut  off  from  the  general 


AW  ESSAY,  &c.  <55 

perfe^ion   and   happinefs,   andr  while   individuals  arc 
opprefled,  the  public  fuiFers.     Subjed  them  to  the  ar* 
bitrary  will  of  one,  or  of  a  few,  all  the  light,  and  inven- 
tion, and  energy,  which  reialt  from  the  free,  but  well 
regulated  efforts,  of  all  ading  in  harmonious  concert, 
are  gone — all  that  variety  of  talent,  of  defign,  of  pur- 
fuit,  and  of  operation,  which   embelHfh,  and  improve, 
and  ftrengthen,  haman   fociety,  is   extinguiihed  —  and 
the  whole   focial  mafs,  fubordinated   to  one  feeble  and 
impotent  will,  ever  influenced  by  narrow  and  contra<ft- 
cd  views,  or  by  cloudy  pafTions ;  eirher  pines  in  a  pHfllv« 
Jethargy,  or,  if  it  is  called  into  action  by  extraordinary 
ftimulants,   exhauils  its  {Irength   by  its  efforts,   while 
their  produce    is   wholly   drawn  off  by  the   privileged 
part ;  fimilar  to  thofe  aged  trunks  on  which  we  behold 
a  few  of  the   higher  branches  retaining  their   fap  and 
verdure,  while  the  tree  itfelf  is  rotten,  aod  fmking  fpee- 
dily  to  duft.     Thus  the  prefervalion  of  liberty  is  necef- 
fary  to  the  attainment  of  public,  as  well  as  of  private, 
felicity;  nor  can  it  ever  be  i'uppofed,  that  any  human 
being,  whofe  judgment  is  found,  and  who  has  not  been 
corrupted  by  long  habits  of  fervitude,  would  either  ex- 
plicitly or  tacitly  relinquiih  what  is  neceffary  to  every 
enjoyment  of  human  nature,  and  without  which  fociety 
itfelf  is  his  greateft  curfe.     In  fhort,  liberty  and  human 
nature  are  infeparable  ;  to  deftroy  the  former  is  to  an- 
nihilate the  latter — is  to  annihilate  every  notion  of  duty, 
and  virtue,  and  happinefs,  beyond  what  is  merely  fenfu- 
al  and  brutifh. 

It  Is  no  wonder,  then,  that  the  love  of  freedom  fliould 
be  ftrong  and  vigorous  in  the  bread,  in  proportion  to 
the  elevation  of  fcntiment,  the  fenie  ©f  honor,  the  re- 
gard for  virtue,  with  which  each  individual  is  endow- 
ed, and  tliat,   by    every  generous  and  feeling  foul, 

F2 


66  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


fiavery  iliould  be  deemed  the  greateft  of  human 
evils.  Bafe,  indeed,  and  corrupted,  and  broken  by 
habits  nf  fervile  fubjection,  muft  that  man  be,  who  can 
confider  himfelf  as  the  property  of  his  fellow  creature, 
and  feels  no  indignation  at  the  tyrant  who  reduces  him 
10  this  defpicable  condition,  and  who,  degrading  the 
rational  creation  of  God,  which  he  has  firft  debafed  io 
his  own  foul,  outrages  heaven  while  he  domineers  upon 
earth.  Few  of  mankind  are  fo  degenerate  as  to  have 
loid  all  fenfe  of  liberty,  and  of  the  native  dignity  of 
anan.  For,  although  they  may  fubmit  in  filence  to  a 
defpot,  yet  they  abhor  him  in  htheir  earts  ;  and,  when 
they  can  do  it  with  fafety,  would  lay  hold  of  the  firft 
opportunity  offhaking  off  the  yoke.  The  names  of  maf- 
ter  and  flave,  annihilate  all  claims  of  duty,  all  volunta- 
ry off;:rings  of  affection,  and  exhibi  t  man  to  man  ia 
a  Hate  of  hoftility,  where  power  is  the  only  right,  and 
terror  the  only  obligation.* 

Not  with  (landing  tkis  averfion  to  fervltude,  and  this 
love  of  freedom,  fo  ftrongly  implanted  in  the   humao 

*  From  thcfe  confiderations  it  may  be  eftahli/hed  as  a  certain 
truth,  that  arbitrary  governments,  in  whatever  hands  they  may  be 
pidced,  can  never  tttedlually  fecure  the  happlnefs  of  mankind. 
With  whatever  wifdom  and  goodnefs  a  prince  may  be  endowed,  it  i« 
impoflib:e,  from  the  narrownefs  of  the  human  min-i,  that  his  views 
en  extend  to  every  department  of  civil  fociety  j  and  he  will  be  una- 
vo;dabIy  eipcCed  to  impofjtion  from  fome  quarter  or  other.  His  ad- 
jjinJftraticijB,  of  confequence,  can  never  be  marked  with  that  exten- 
five  beneficence,  which  refults  from  forms  of  government  which  are 
calculated  to  coileft  into  one  po'.nc  the  wifdom,  ingenuity  and  vigor 
which  are  dixFufed  through  the  whole  foetal  body.  Befides,  as  it  is 
the  intention  of  civil  fociety  t»  promote  the  happinefs  of  all  its  men?- 
bers,  it  Is  impolfiUle  that  its  ends  can  be  obtained,  when  the  fenfe 
of  freedom,  which  is  fo  effential  an  iagredient  of  human  feScity,  ie 
eiihcr  to.npletely extinguifhsd,  or  deprived  ofiti  enjoyments. 


AN  ESSAY,  &c.  5f 


breafl,  it  muft  be  confefled,  that  there  is  in  mankind 
both  anaftonifhing  propenfity  to  tyrannize,  and  a  won- 
derful facihty  in  fubmitting  to  enormous  power. 
The  freedom  which  men  claim  to  themfelves,  they  are 
not  willing  to  grant  to  others,  and  the  principle  which 
infpires  the  wifti  of  independence,  produces  the  exercife 
of  oppreffion.  The  love  of  pre-eminence  and  powef 
rejedls  competition  and  equality  ;  fond  attachment  to 
one's  own  opinions  ftimulates  men  to  prefcribe  them  as 
rules  to  others  ;  pafTeffion  conftantly  aims  at  enlarging 
it  s  bounds  :  elevation  and  authority  have  a  perpetual 
t  endency  upwards,  and,  in  their  afcent,  deprefs  thofe 
parts  through  which  they  move — the  generality  of 
mankind,  long  sccuftomed  to  admire  fplendour  and 
wealth,  or  eminent  talents,  readily  fubmit  to  their  do- 
minion ;  and  voluntary  homage  often  begins  the  fub- 
jedion,  which  is  at  laft  exa<fted  as  a  right.  Habits  of 
fervitude  debilitate  the  fenfe  of  freedom,  and  the  ri- 
gours of  opprefEon  are  frequently  neceffary  to  roufe  it. 
It  is  thus  that  the  love  of  independence  ftimulates  to 
encroach  on  the  rights  of  others,  and  that  fuch  en- 
croachment is  fo  freq  uently  fuccefsful. 

On  this  account,  all  civil  liberty  is  limited  by  thefe 
two  conditions,  abftinence  from  injury  to  others,  and 
fubmiffion  to  the  laws  enaded  by  the  authority  of  po- 
litical fociety.  Whoever  injures  others  is  not  a  free 
man,  but  a  tyrant,  and,  if  he  is  free,  others  are  flaves*. 
As  it  is  the  grand  defign  of  civil  fociety  to  fecure  men 
from  that  injuftice  and  violence  which  would  foon  fub- 
jed  all  to  the  raoft  powerful,  it  is  neceffary  that  the 

•  Hence  the  propriety  of  the  infcrlption  libertas  on  theprlfonc 
of  Genoa.  See  Kouffeau-«Cofltrat  Secial-»and  Howard  on 
Frifons. 


4%  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


public  authority  fhould  circumfcribe  the  a<flions  of  each 
individual.     While  all  are  equally  fubjeft  to   this   au- 
thority, and  the  colledive  power  of  the   whole  commu- 
nity is  centered  in  this   point,  it  follows  as   a  neceiTary 
confequence  of  that  equality,  which  confifts  in  the  rela- 
tion that  all  equally  bear  to  the  fecial  body,   that   the 
adlions  of  each  fhould  be   dire<fled  an^  Mmited  by   this 
relation.  No  member  is fubjeit  to  anor    .ijconfideredas  a 
member,  buteverymemberisfubjed  to  the  whole  in   its 
colle<flive  capacity,  and,  when  this  capacity  is  transfer- 
red to  any  part,  or  to  any  number  of  parts  of  the  focial 
body,  thefe  deriving  their  pre-erninence  and  authority 
from  the  whole  fociety,  have  a  right  to  govern  all  its 
members,  while  in  eveiy  inftance  in  which   they   ap- 
pear as  members  themfelves,  and  afl,  not  in  a   public* 
but  in  a  private,  capacity,  they  are  equally   fubje<5t  to 
the  common  will,  expre/fed    by  public   laws,  with  all 
the  other  members  of  the  community.      In  civil   focie- 
ty, it  is  this  alone  that  maintains  that   equality  which 
fubfifts  among  all  its  different  members,  notwithftand- 
ing  the  diverfities  which  fortune,  rank,  or  talents,  have 
introduced.     For,  as  chefe  only  dir  erfify  the   mannei* 
in  which  each  is  to  contribute  his  portion  to   the  public 
good  ;  fo  when  all  are  equally  fubje6t  to  common  laws, 
all  are  levelled  by  this  common   fubje(ftion,   and  every 
one  is  reftrided  to  that  line  of  condud,  which  is  necef^ 
fary  for  the  prcfervation  and  welfare  of  the  political 
fyflem.     Unlimited  freedom  is  unattainable   not  only 
in  civil  fociety,  but  in  every  fpecies  of  affociation  what- 
ever, becaufe  the  aftlons  of  every  individual  of  the   fb- 
ciety  are  limited  by  the  alliens  cf  all  the  reft,  and  by 
the  general  defign  and   conditions  of  affociation  itfelf. 
The  grand  defign  of  every  focial  union  is  to  obtain  the 
co-operation  of  all  its  members  for  the  common  good. 
It  is  hence  incumbent  on  every  one  of  tliem,  fo  to  regii- 


AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


late  his  conduft,  as  to  cpntribute  to  the  end  prop©fed. 
Nay,  perfect  liberty,  if,  by  that  term,  we  underftand  the 
unreftrained  indulgence  of  every  defire  and  propenfity,  . 
is  as  inconfiftent  with  the  rational  conftitution  of  each 
individual,  as  it  is  with  the  principles  of  civil  union* 
For  there  is  an  order  eftabliftied  by  nature  among  all 
©ur  defires  and  paflions  ;  and  reafon  is  given  both  to 
difcover  and  to  maintain  it.  As  the  violater  of  civil 
«rder  ceafes  to  be  a  citizen,  and  becomes  a  public  ene- 
my, fo  he  who  violates  the  order  of  the  moral  and  ra* 
tional  nature  ceafes  to  be  a  man,  degenerates  into  a 
brute,  and  is  the  deftroyer  of  his  own  happinefs.  As 
a  man,  he  only  is  free,  who,  delivered  from  the  yoke  of 
paffion,  freely  follows  the  di<aates  of  his  nobler  facul- 
ties, and  indulges  every  natural  propenfity  in  confiften- 
€y  with  mental  order.  In  like  manner,  civil  fociety  is 
free,  when  delivered  from  arbitrary  power,  in  whatever 
fhape  it  may  exift ;  all  its  members  are  placed  underthg 
empire  and  dominion  of  laws,  enforcing  the  grand 
principles  of  political  union,  and  equally  binding  o« 
the  legiflators  themfelves  as  on  the  people.  If  any  are 
raifed  above  law,  or  enjoy  privileges  and  prerogatives, 
which  have  no  relation  to  the  public  good,  and  are 
burthenfome  to  the  community,  in  proportion  as  they 
are  advantageous,  to  the  pofreflbrs  of  them,  the  prin- 
ciples of  civil  union  are  oppofed,  political  equality  is 
fubverted,  and  oppreflion,  more  or  lefs  grievous  accor- 
ding to  the  degree  of  fucb  inequality,  is   introduced. 

As  the  limitation  of  law  Is  infeparable  fr  om  the  liber* 
ty  to  which  every  citizen  has  an  inconteftible  right  j 
fo  this  right  implies  that,  in  every  inftance,  neither 
contrary  to  law,  nor  Injurious  to  others,  every  Innocent 
perfon,  who  has  reached  the  years  of  maturity,  and 
has  not  voluntarily  fubje<aedhis  a^oas  to  the  c^ntroiU 


70  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


€f  Osiers,  (hould  enjoy  the  power  of  afling  as  he  plea- 
fes.  Perfons  of  found  judgment,  and  of  generous  fen- 
tipients,  will,  in  the  uie  of  this  freedom,  confult  not 
only  their  own  pleafure  and  advantage,  but  alfo,  the 
felicity  of  all  to  whom  their  influence  may  extend. 
Their  purfuits  will  be  charadlerized  by  a  dignity  and 
beneficence,  which  will  point  them  out  as  the  ornaments 
offociety,  and  the  objefts  of  general  admiration  and 
gratitude.  Such  will  find  thtir  moft  deligjjtful  enjoy- 
ments in  their  own  higheft  improvement,  and  in  their 
moft  extenfive  utility  to  others.  Men  of  inferior  ca- 
pacity, or  of  a  meaner  turn  of  mind,  will  chiefly  devote 
themfelves  to  fenfual  pleafnres,  and  to  feififh  purfuits  ; 
and  thus  withhold  from  the  public  a  great  deal  of  be- 
nefit which  they  might  otherwife  contribute.  On  this 
account,  however,  they  are  not  to  be  deprived  of  their 
liberty,  as  long  as  they  remain  with(|p  the  bounds  of  ^ 
that  innocence,  which,  however  deficient  in  a  moral 
and  religious  light,  is  fufficient  for  the  maintenance  of 
public  peace,  and  of  civil  and  political  order.  They 
are  not  amenable  to  human,  but  to  divine  juflice  ;  and 
mufl  be  called  to  ace  ount,  not  in  the  prefent,  but  in  a 
future,  world.  Argument,  perfuafion,  and  example, 
may  be  employed  ;  and  every  good  man  will  ufe  them 
to  the  utmoft  of  his  power,  in  order  to  diffufe  virtue 
and  happinefs  among  his  fpecies.  But  to  ufe  violence 
for  tliis  purpofe,  is  both  to  difappoint  the  end,  and  to 
exhibit  an  inflance  of  that  folly  which  is  reprobated  ia 
others.  Men  may  be  conftrained  to  be  harmlefs  and 
juft^but  not  to  be  virtuous  and  happy  i 

In  the  right  of  liberty  is  Included  the  free  ufe  of 
prira4:e  judgment  in  every  thing  relative  to  the 
regulatioa  of  condu(*t,  and  efpccially  to  rellgi^nj  as 


AM  ESSAY,' «c«.  A|f 

well  as  the  free  communication  of  fcntiment  ivithin 
tlie  bounds  above  ftated.  It  is  vain  to  think  of  en- 
jaying  liberty  of  a<5lion,  if  the  opinions  by  which  a<5lion 
is  to  be  direfted  are  not  alfo  free.  In  fa«5l,  the  right 
of  private  judgment  cannot  be  alienated  or  wrefled 
,  from  any  human  being  by  any  power  on  earth.  The 
mind  of  man,  conftituted  free  by  its  Creator,  will  ever 
remain  fo,  in  fpite  of  every  endeavour  to  enflave  it. 
Ignorance  may  darken,  prejudice  reftrain,  or  corrup- 
tion pervert,  its  powers  ;  ftill  the  opinions  which  it 
really  embraces,  are  fuch,  a^  appear  to  it  the  beft,  ac- 
cording to  the  light  which  it  enjoys.  But  to  con- 
ceive any  mortal  adopting  an  opinion,  for  which  h« 
perceives  no  ground,  is  the  moft  glaring  contradidtion 
—is  to  fuppofe  him  admitting  and  rejecting  at  once 
the  fame  propofitions.  With  regard  to  religion,  in 
particular,  the  right  of  private  judgment,  and  the  free- 
dom of  confcience,  are  to  be  maintained,  as  neceifarily 
connected  with  the  equality  of  allmen,  above  eflablilhed  ; 
for,  although  religion  ever  has  been,  and  ever  muft  be, 
the  ftrongeft  bond  of  fociety,  yet  the  ftrength  of  thij 
bond  depends  on  the  united  evidence  of  the  religious 
opinions  which  are  adopted,  and  on  the  fmcerity  witk 
which  they  are  embraced.  It  is  only  when  religious 
opinions  are  both  true  in  themfelves,  and  ingenuoully 
profefTed,  that  they  can  exert  any  aufpicious  influence 
©n  the  adions  of  men* 

Now,  to  perceive  truth  is  the  operation  of  the  on- 
derftanding.  To  embrace  it  with  becoming  zeal, 
and  to  obey  its  dicflates  with  undeviating  conftancy,  is 
the  operation  of  the  heart.  The  underttanding  may- 
be enlightened  by  reafon,  the  heart  may  be  afieded  by 
pcrfuafion,  and,  in  order  that  elthw  inay  be  produced 


71  AN  ESSAY,  &(*. 


perfect  freedom  h  necefTary.  To  conTince  or  to  pcrflia^e 
by  violence,  is  the  greatea  of  abfurdities,  is  a  man- 
ifeft  impoSibility ;  and  when  there  is  neither  con- 
▼iftion  noT  perfu^fion,  where  can  religion  fubfift  ? 
Place  it  where  it  can  only  refide — in  the  underftand- 
ing  and  the  heart;  iteludes  all  conftraint.  Remove  it 
from  this  habitation,  it  lofes  its  falutary  influence. 

As  religion,  therefore,  muft,  from  its  very  nature, 
be  free,  no  man  can  have  any  right  to  didate  to  the 
confcience  of  another.  All  men  are  equally  entitled 
to  ferve  God,  and  all  are  equally  bound  to  ferve  him 
infpirit  and  in  truth.  No  man  can  ferve  him  with  ano- 
ther's fpirit  ;  and  no  man  can  difcem  truth  with  ano- 
ther's underftanding.  To  fubjedl  religion  to  conftraint, 
is,  of  confequence,  to  deftroy  its  eflence,  and  to  anni- 
hilate its  falutary  tendency.  Enthufiafm  and  bigotry, 
whofc  charafler  it  is  to  ere^  their  own  opinions  as 
ftandards  for  all  the  world,  and  to  violate  the  rights 
of  confcience,  never  fail,  if  they  are  fuccefsful,  to  give 
birth  to  hypocrify,  as  the  heir  to  their  ufurped  domi- 
nion. Hence  it  is  eafy  to  account  for  the  fmall  in- 
fluence which  religious  opinions  have  on  the  conduA 
of  their  profefTors,  while  pure  and  undefiled  religion 
ought  naturally  to  produce  the  moft  falutary  eflfedts, 
not  only  in  rendering  men  *vjife  unto  falvation,  but  in 
forming  them  to  the  pra(5lice  of  every  focial  and  civil 
virtue.  Religion  is  either  believed  to  be  fomething 
very  different  from  what  it  is,  to  cenfift  merely  in 
forms  and  ceremonies,  in  which  cafe  it  has  either  no  ef- 
fe<5l  at  all  on  moral  condu^,  or  a  ver  y  pernicious  one— 
or  men  are  conftrained  to  profefs  what  they  do  not 
believe  ;  by  which  their  hearts  are  corrupted,  and  their 
fi^iogs  4ai  fentixnents  are  at  conftaat  variance,    Tljs 


AN  ESSAY,  &c.  X3 

glory  of  God  is  thus  promoted  by  defacing  his  image 
on  the  human  foul,  and  by   transforming   his   reafona- 
hie  fervice   into  childifli    pageantry     and    infignlficant 
pomp,     Befides,  if  any  fet  of  men  affume  to  themfelres 
the  power  of  prefcribing  to  others  in  religious  matters, 
others  may,  with  as  good  a  title,  do  the   fame  when- 
ever they  obtain  the  power.     True   religion  may  thus 
be  fupprefled  and  deftroyed,  without  its   profefTors   ha- 
ving any  plea  for  its  defence  which  is  not  equally  com- 
petent to  the  moft  abfurd  fuperftition.     While  men  thus 
domineer  in  religious  matters,  according  as  they  pof- 
fefs  the  power,  all  religious  improvement  is  precluded ; 
the  wifeft  and  moft  pious  of  men    may  be    obliged    to 
fubmit,  in  obfequious  filence,  to  the  moft  ignorant  and 
impious  ;  and  fuperftition,  in  all  its  hideous  forms,  is 
put  on  the  fame  footing,  and  enjoys  the  fame  advanta- 
ges for  its  maintenance    and   propagation,  with  divine 
revelation  itfelf.     This  right  of  freedom  of  judgment 
carries  along  with  it  that  of  free  communication  of 
fentiment,  within  the  limitations  above  laid  down.     As 
there  is  in  man  a  ftrong  natural  propenfity  to   commu- 
nicate his  feelings  and   fentiments  to  others,  fo  the  fa- 
culty by  which  he  is  chiefly  enabled  to  communicate 
tfeem  is  one  of  the  moft  powerful  bonds  of  fociety,  and 
.jone  of  the  chief  inftruments   of  its  improvement.     By 
fuppreffing  this  freedom  of  communication,  the  natu- 
ral equality  of  men  is  deftroyed.      Thofe  from  whom 
St  is  wrefted  are  degraded  from  the  condition  of  mem- 
bers of  the  community,  and,  being  ftripped  of  this  pri- 
vilege, may  be  prevented  from  contributing   that  por- 
tion to  the  public  good  which  it  might  enable  them  t» 
afford.     How  much  the  improvement  and  felicity  of 
mankind  depend  on  the  free  diffufion  of  knowledge,  is 
.  |;©o  evident  to  require  any  proof.    Nvr  io  it  lefs  ceitain 

G 


t4  AN  ESSAY,  &e. 


that  ignorance  and  prejudice,  ever  delighting  in  6Atk' 
ncfs,  becaufe  their  Laponian  eyes  are  toe  weak  to  en- 
dure the  light,  are  extremely  defirous  of  excluding  it 
from  whatever  quarter  it  may  fhine.  They  endeavor, 
therefore,  violently  to  extinguifli  the  lamp  of  reafon, 
and  to  filence  the  voice  of  truth.  If  they  fucceed,  all 
the  rvils  of  barbarifm  are  perpetuated  ;  if  the  precious 
rightof  free  communication  of  opinion  is  maintained, 
private  as  well  as  public  happinefs  is  the  refult.  But, 
if  men  embrace  and  profefs  opinions  with  regard 
to  religion,  morals,  or  politics,  the  mod  grofsly  falfe 
and  erroneous,  are  fuch  fyftems  to  be  tolerated,  and 
not  rather  profcribed  as  efFrontive  to  God,  and  perni- 
cious to  men  ?  The  firft  enquiry  muft  be,  whether  fuch 
opinions  tend  to  overturn  the  principles  of  civil  fociety, 
and  to  diflurb  its  order  and  peace.  If  any  are  fo 
fooiifh,  or  fo  wicked,  as  to  entertain  fentiments  fubver- 
five  of  thofe  fundamental  truths  on  which  the  mutual 
obligations  of  men,  and  the  pradice  of  all  virtue,  and 
civil  fociety  itfelf,  are  founded  ;  fuch  may  be  juftly  con- 
ilrained  to  abrtain  from  the  propagation  of  them,  or  to 
remove  from  the  focrety  of  which  they  are  members  ; 
ofjif  theyobflinately  refufe  to  comply  with  a  requifition 
•which  felf-prefervation  didates,  may  be  juftly  punifhed 
in  order  to  deter  others  from  imitating  their  example. 
But  as  fuch  fundamental  truths  are  few,  and  univer- 
fally  acknowledged,  fo  they  ought  not  to  be  unneceflari- 
ly  multiplied  in  order  to  fupprefs  the  exercife  of  private 
judgment,  or  conne(5led  with  other  points  in  which  di- 
verfity  of  opinion,  faf  from  being  pernicious,  conduces 
to  enlarge  the  bounds  of  human  knowledge,  by  pour- 
ing in  new  light  from  various  inquiry  and  intelligence. 
Befides,  ?s  no  fmcere  profeilorof  any  fy  ft  cm  of  religion 
or  morals  really  believes  it  impious   wnd  pernicious, 


AN  ESSAY,  &c.  75 


^t,nn  the  contrary,  entertains  the  higheft  opinion  of 
its^cellence,  fuch  ought  rather  to  be  convinced  by 
argunient,  than  deftroyed  by  perfecution,  and,  while  he 
gbftains  fronn  anions  injurious  to  others,  it  is  unjufh  to' 
treat  him  with  feverity  and  violence.  It  is  undeniable 
that  bigotry,  and  fuperftition,  and  enthufiafm,  whether 
religious  or  civil,  have  often  produced  the  moft  direful 
calamities  in  the  world.  But  it  is  to  be  obferved,  that 
this  has  entirely  proceeded  from  the  principle  againft 
which  I  am  now  contending,  namely,  the  right  of  any 
tnsn  to  dictate  to  the  confcience  of  another.  For  if, 
©n  the  moft  important  of  all  fubjet^s,  men  fupported 
their  caufe  by  argument  and  perfuadon  only,  fuperfti- 
tion, bigotry  and  error,  would  foon  be  driven  from  the 
field,  and  true  religion  and  pure  morality  obtain  deci- 
five  vidlory  in  every  part  of  the  world.  But  while  dif- 
ferent fe<5ls  and  parties  mutually  reprefent  each  other 
SLS  the  enemies  of  God  and  man,  and  conned,  with  eve- 
ry fpeculative  opinion,  the  moft  important  confcquen - 
ces  to  the  temporal,  as  well  as  the  eternal,  intereits  of 
mankind,  rancour,  and  hatred,  and  malevolence,  foon 
bur  ft  into  the  flames  of  the  moft  violent  animofity, 
perfecution  appears  in  her  moft  hideons  forms,  and 
the  caufe  of  God,  and  the  interefts  of  mankind,  are  af- 
fumed  as  pretexts  for  indulging  thg  moft  ferocious  paf- 
iions  of  the  human  breaft  1  If,  on  the  one  hand,  there- 
fore, profeftions  evidently  fubverfive  of  the  fundamen- 
tal principles  of  fociety  have  no  claim  to  toleration  ;  fo, 
on  the  other,  the  greateft  caution  is  to  be  ufed  not  to 
clafs,  under  this  head,  opinions  which  have  no  connec- 
tion with  the  interefts  of  civil  fociety,  but  regard  only- 
theological  or  philofophical  fpeculation.  I  mean  not 
that  erroneous  opinions  are  always  free  from  blame, 
becaufe  it  is  an  undoubted  fa£fc  that  grror  is  not  always 


7«  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


the  refult  of  weaknefs  of  judgment,  but  more  frequent- 
ly dill  of  pride,  of  obflinacy,  or  of  negligence.  But  as 
no  man  is  mafter  of  another's  confcience,  fo  no  man 
can  claim  to  himfelf  the  judgmetit  of  this  point  with 
Tcg-ard  50  another,  but  in  as  far  as  opinion  is  manifeftcd 
by  ai^^ion.  To  his  onun  ma^er  he  Jlandeth  or  falleth,  lulw 
art  thou  that  judge/}  a?iot  J:  er  ? 

The  right  of  liberty,  which  I  have  illuftrated  at  cob- 
fiJerable  length,  becaufe  it  is  not  generally  underftood, 
includes,  firft,  perfonal  liberty  ;  fecondly,  liberty  'of 
a<5^ion  ;  thirdly,  liberty  of  confcience  ;  fourthly,  liberty 
of  communication  of  fentiment. 

To  all  thefe  modifications  of  liberty  within  the  limi- 
tations above  Hated,  every  member  of  fociety  has  an 
equal  r'loht  ;  nor  can  any  difcrimination  of  rank,  of 
iortune,  or  of  abilities,  entitle  any  one  to  any  privilege 
i.i  thefe  refpecls,  which  is  not  equally  due  to  every  hu. 
man  being  who  is  poiTefled  of  a  found  mind,  has  reach- 
ed the  years  of  maturity,  and  has  not  voluntarily  fub- 
jefted  himfelf  to  the  controul  of  siQOther. 


AN  ESSAY,  5cc.  77 


CHAPTER    V. 

That  It    is     //C'tf  INTEREST    o/"    GOVERNMENTS    t'C    pTffii-je 

INVIOLATE  the  Ric/HT  (?/" LIB feRTV,  as  ubovc  exfUiueU, 


IT  Is  a  falfe  notion  to  fuppofe  that  governments  are 
moft   firmly    eftablifhed   when   the    liberty   of  the 
fubjctft,  or  of  the  citizen,  is  deflroyed.     It  will,  in  fa(f>, 
be  found,   on  mature  confideration,  that  it  is  as  much 
the  iiitereft:  of  governors,  as  of  the  governed,  that  this 
grand  right  be  religioufly   obferved  in  all  its  branches* 
It  is  true  that  no  government  can  fubfid    in  the  midll 
of  llcentioufnefs.      But,  liantloufnefs    and  defpoftfrn    arc 
only  different   names  for  the  fame  thing.     Licentiouf- 
nefs  is  a  contempt  of  law,  and  right,  andjuflice — is  the 
dominion  of  pafuon,  and  caprice,  and  violence.     And, 
what  other  definition    can   be    given  of  defpotifin  ?    In 
the  midft  of  that  anarchy  which  llcentioufnefs  introdu- 
ces, thofe  who  have  acquired  the  greateft  influence 
over  the   multitude  lead  them    at  their  pleafure,  and 
ulbrp  the  moft  defpotic  power  over  the  reft  of  the 
community.     This  power  continues  as  long  as  the   fa- 
vour that  produced  it,  and  then  gives  place  to  another 
dominion,  equally  capricious   and  cruel.     Society   is 
thus  agitated  with   unceaGng    convulfions  till   it  fmks 
under  abfolute  power,  or  a  happy  combination  oT  cir- 
cumftances  eftablifli  the  equal   and  impartial  govern- 
ment of  law,  and  of  authority  founded  on  its  bafis. 

BefpQtifm  produces  fimiUr  cffeds,  though  in  an  in- 
G  2 


7^  AN  ESSAY,  kc 


rerted  courie.  It  levels  all  to  exalt  one  ;  and,  acknow- 
1  edging  no  title  but  force,  tramples  under  foot  every 
cl^iim  ol  right  which  is  oppofed  to  its  dominion.  But, 
us  all  power,  when  feparated  from  juftice,  mud  fall 
before  fuperior  power  contending  witli  it  ;  and  as 
fiaves,  whenever  they  have  the  courage  to  refift,  and 
ihe  fagacity  to  combine  againft,  their  mafter,  muft 
iiievitably  cruih  him  ;  fo,  every  defpot  fhares  all  the 
terror  he  infpires,  and  joins  trembling  'Mith  his  co7nmanis. 
Knowing  himfeif  the  enemy  of  mankind,  he  can  place 
no  confidence  in  their  affedion,  and  make  no  appeal 
to  their  juftice.  When  his  power  begins  to  totter,  the 
fear  that  reftrains  them  is  removed,  and  the  intereft 
that  engaged  them  in  his  favour  pafTes  over  to  the 
c}uarter  where  it  can  be  better  promoted.  While  flat- 
tery is  endeavouring  to  lull  him  to  fccurity,  treachery 
is  machinating  his  deftruiflion  ;  and  he  is  often  over- 
whelmed before  he  has  time  to  prepare  either  for  refift- 
ance  or  for  efcape.* 

To  this  fituation,  difmal  even  in  Its  greatefl:  pre-emi- 
nence and  fplendor,  all  abufes  of  power  infenfibly  lead. 
Smaller  violations  of  right  are  eafily  borne,  becaufe 
they  are  not  generally  or  feverely  felt.  This  fuccefs 
tempts  to  greater  oppreiTion,  while  the  lull  and  the 
advantages    of    power,   ftimulate  to  extend  its  limits, 

•  It  is  wonderful  how  nearly  defpotifii,  and  pure  democracy, 
approach  each  other.  They  are  both  the  government  of  the  mob, 
at  leaft  on  many  occafions.  In  pure  democracy  this  is  Sufficiently 
evident.  Defpctifm  can  only  be  maintained  by  the  army  ;  and, 
v»feen  the  army  is  numerous,  it  can  depofe  the  fovereign  at  pleafure. 
The  Roman  errperors  were  fucceflively  cjedted,  dethroned  and  but-^ 
chered,  by  the  Pretorian  guards.  The  Turkifti  Sultan  is  at  the 
mercy  of  the  Janiffaries.  See  Gibbon'fljiiftory  of  the  Decline  ani 
Fall  of  the  Roman  Empire,  vol.  I.  chapt  ?Hi.  p.  309,  8vo  editioa* 


AN  ESSAY,  &c.  75 

and  to  €nfure  its  duration.  Oppreffion,  at  laft,  be. 
comes  necelTary  to  its  own  fupport,  and  the  fear  of 
redrefs,  fuggefts  the  accumulation  of  injiiftice.  Abu- 
fes  grow  intolerable  ;  violent  refiftance  appears  the  only 
means  of  relief;  and  the  moment  which  advances  op- 
preffion to  its  completion,  becomes  the  period  of  its 
overthrow.  For,  vi^hen  the  bodies  of  men  are  neither 
effeminated  by  luxury,  nor  enfeebled  by  climate,  nor 
their  minds  brutified  by  ignorance,  they  cannot  fail, 
fooner  or  later,  to  Ihake  off  the  yoke  of  tyranny,  and 
to  break  her  fceptre  in  pieces.  As  in  fuch  circumftan- 
ces,  however,  their  lethargic  pafiivenefs  is  difpelled  by 
extraordinary  ftimulants,  and  the  furious  paffions 
ofrefentment  and  revenge  are  violently  rouled,  the 
moft  atrocious  ads  of  cruelty  are  exercifed  towards 
tlieir  oppreffors,  or  thofe  whom  they  conceive  to  have 
been  joined  with  them  in  the  odious  combination  againft 
their  fpecies  ;  and  the  vindication  of  violated  right  is 
thus  often  accompanied  with  the  moft  flagrant  injuftice. 
In  this  manner  human  fociety,  which  fhould  be  the 
fafeguard  of  human  happinefs,  fo  frequently  exhibits 
alternate  fcenes  of  rigorous  defpotifm,  and  of  furioujs 
anarchy;  of  injuftice  in  the  maintenance  of  ufurped 
power,  and  of  violence  in  the  fubverfion  of  it ;  of  grofs 
abufes  in  the  adminiftration  of  governments,  and  of  la- 
mentable calamities  in  the  reformation  of  them.  The 
only  ftable  government  is  that  which  is  founded  on 
equal  liberty,  limited  by  la\v,  adminiftered  witli  mode- 
ration, fupported  by  the  combined  interefts  of  the  whole 
political  body,  and  difplayed  in  the  glorious  effe<5ls  of 
internal  order,  and  external  fecurity — of  improving  in* 
duftry,  civilizaitionf  and  virtue. 


8o  AN  E^AY,  &€. 


CHAPTER    VI. 
Of  RIGHTS  peculiar  to  certain  stations  and  abilities 


BESIDES  thofe  rights,  equally  belonglrrg  to  all, 
which  have  been  above  illuftrated,  there  are 
others,  which,  although  they  are  founded  on  the  diftinc- 
tions  ef  rank  and  fortune,  or  on  the  general  fubordi- 
nation  which  civil  fociety  requires,  are  neverthelefs 
deducible  from  that  notion  of  equality  eftabiiftied  m 
the  firft  part  of  this  Ellay. 

I.  Thofe  who  are  placed  in  the  higher  ftations,  and 
invefted  with  offices  of  government  and  command,  as 
they  owe  the  difcharge  ©f  thefe  important  fun<fiions 
to  the  public,  are  entitled,  from  this  very  confideration, 
to  the  obedience  of  thofe  who  are  fubjecled  to  their 
authority.  As  members  of  the  fecial  body  they  are 
bound  to  promote  its  intereft  by  the  mo  ft  effedtual 
means  in  their  power.  The  peculiar  direflion  of  this 
titility  is  determined  by  their  offices  themfelves.  This 
line  cannot  be  purfued  without  the  legal  obedience 
andfubmiflionof  the  reft  of  the  community.  Hence 
that  equality  of  obligation  which  binds  the  former  to 
the  juft  and  zealous  difcharge  of  their  fundiions,  binds 
alfo  the  latter  to  a  ready  and  cheerful  fubjedion  to  their 
authority. 

II.  When  the  neceflary  balance  of  the  political  bo- 
dy»  or  that  encouragement  of  merit  which  tends  fo 
powerfully  to  promote  its  higheft  intereft,  have   raifcd 


AN  ESSAY,  &e.  U 


a  certain  clafs  of  men  te  certain  honors  and  privi- 
leges ;  thefe  are,  by  that  equality  itfelf  which  fubfifts 
among  all  in  their  common  relation  to  the  public  good, 
entitled  to  the  advantages  and  refpedl  which  are  an- 
nexed to  their  ftation,  vi'hich  the  public  welfare  requires 
fhould  be  maintained  in  becoming  fplendour  and 
dignity. 

When,  by  political  conftitutions,  peculiar  marks  of 
dIftin(^ion  are  aliigned  to  eminent  talents  and  virtues, 
thofe  who  difplay  them  have  a  juft  claim  on  the  public 
to  the  diftin<5tion  which  is  their  reward,  and  on  every 
member  of  the  community  for  the  regard  which  that 
diftindlion  requires.  Views  of  public  intereft  fuggeft 
fuch  diftin(5lions  as  incentives  to  merit,  in  order  to  ex- 
•raft  from  all  the  members  of  the  focial  body  the  great- 
eft  poffible  fum  of  exertion,  and  to  diffufe  its  influence 
over  the  whole.  It  is  juft,  therefore,  that  thofe  who 
contribute  in  the  moft  diftijiguifhed  degree  to  the  com- 
mon welfare  ftould  enjoy  a  proportionable  fhare  of 
honor  and  advantage,  adapted  to  the  peculiar  man- 
ner in  which  their  utility  has  been  difplayed.  To  de- 
prive them  of  this  would  be  to  deftroy  their  relation 
to  the  community,  and  that  equality  w^hich  confifts  in 
the  common  obligation  of  all  to  contribute  to  its  bene- 
fit, and  to  receive  a  proportionate  return. 

III.  When  riches,  acquired  by  honeft  induftry,  or 
enjoyed  in  virtue  of  thofe  laws  which  perpetuate  pro- 
perty, whatever  be  its  value  and  extent,  enable  their 
pofFeiTors  to  relieve  want,  to  foothe  afflldion,  to  diffufe 
around  them  a  fpirit  of  improvement,  to  encourage  in- 
duftry, and  to  make  their  fuperfluity  circulate  through 
the  general  mafs  of  the  community,  they  confer  on  the 


ta  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


opulent  a  juft  title  to  confideration  and  influence,  ih 
proportion  to  the  fuperior  benefits  they  beflow  on  all 
who  are  placed  within  the  fphere  of  their  aflion.  It 
would  be  as  unjuft  to  deny  them  this  confideration, 
as  it  would  be  to  withhold  from  a  day-labourer  his  hire, 
or  from  a  good  man  the  efteem  which  is  his  due. 

IV.  The  fame  confiderations  give  to  the  inferior 
ranks  of  fociety,  and  to  the  community  in  general, 
an  equal  right  to  demand  that  all  delegated  power  and 
authority,  as  all  civil  power  undoubtedly  is,  be  employ- 
ed folely  for  the  ends  for  which  it  v/as  conferred,  and 
that  all  honorary  diftindlions,  be  neither  beftowed  on 
ihe  undeferving,  nor  perverted  to  the  purpofes  of 
pride,  of  infolence,  and  of  oppreffion.  The  commu- 
nity at  large  has  a  right  to  demand  that  the  legiilative 
power  be  conftantly  diredted  by  views  of  general  utili- 
ty, and  not  by  partial  fyftems  which  injure  and  diftrefs 
the  whole  by  throwing  all  advantages  on  one  fide  of 
the  political  body  ;  that  the  executive  power  nerer 
eiceed  its  legal  bounds,  and,  by  an  impartial  adminif- 
tration  ofjuilice,  maintain  all  in  the  equal  enjoyment 
of  their  rights ;  that  rank  be  fupported  with  dignity,  and 
tempered  with  the  affability  and  condefcenfion  becom- 
ing every  citizen  ;  that  wealth  be  not  abufed  to  intro- 
duce and  foment  profligacy  of  manners,  or  to  abet 
injuflice;  and  that  talents  be  not  perverted  to  diflemi- 
nate  ©pinions  and  principles  fubverfive  of  virtue,  and 
pernicious  to  fociety. 

V.  All  men  have  an  equal,  tkough  imperfeft,  right 
to  thofe  offices  of  humanity,  which,  while  they  coft 
the  performers  of  them  little  trouble,  are  thefweetners 
of  focial  intcrcourfe  ;    and  to  the  compaiTiota  and  relief 


AN  ESSAY,  &e,  83 

•f  ©thcrs,  proportioned  to  their  condition  and  circum- 
fiances,  when  they  are  overpowered  by  diftrefs  and 
caliimity.  This  rtghtj  it  is  true,  cannot  be  fo  defined 
as  to  admit  of  any  individuaPs  claiining  a  determined 
portion  of  the  good  offices  of  any  of  his  fellow  men  ; 
nay,  the  fulfilment  of  its  obligations  muft  from  its  very 
nature,  be  left  to  every  one's  judgment  and  feelings. 
But,  as  men  a/Tociate  for  their  mutual  benefit  and  com- 
fort, as  humanity  is  interwoven  with  the  human  con- 
ftitution,  and  as  compaffion  with  diftrefs  is  one  of  the 
ftrongeft  feelings  of  our  nature,  it  is  undoubted  that, 
to  every  fituation  which  is  calculated  tr>  call  thefe  feel- 
ings into  adion,  a  certain  right  is  annexed  to  expect  and 
require  them,  and  a  general  obligation  lies  on  all  to 
advance  the  happinefs  of  their  fellow  men  by  every 
mean  in  their  pov»>r.  As  the  ordinary  offices  ef  civi- 
lity muft  vary  according  to  the  different  conditions  and 
ranks  of  men  ;  fo  the  compaffion  which  is  due  to  their 
diftrefs,  and  the  relief  which  it  prompts  to  afford,  muft 
be  greatly  affeded  by  the  fame  confiderations.  For, 
as  a  lofs  which  would  ruin  a  man  in  narrow  circum- 
flances,  would  not  at  all  affeft  a  perfon  of  affluent  for- 
tune ;  fo,  on  the  other  hand,  there  are  fituations  which 
would  appear  to  one  in  an  obfcure  ftation  highly  eligi- 
ble, which  wouM  overwhelm  thofe  of  a  more  elevated 
condition  with inexpreffible  dejedronandanguifh.  "What 
would  feem  to  one  perfon  a  fingular  benefit,  would,  to 
another  in  different  circumftances,  either  be  no  benefit 
at  all,  or  interpreted  into  a  cruel  affront.  All  then 
haVe  an  equal  right  to  offices  of  humanity  and  kind- 
nefs  ;  but  the  degree  and  manner  of  th'^fe  offices  muft 
be  determined  by  the.  circumllances  and  rank  of  the 
perfons  towards  whom  diey  are  exercifed.  This  pro- 
.porUQii  is  required  by  equality  itfelf* 


AN  ESSAY,  5cc.  %$ 


C  A  P  T  E  R    VII. 

CENERAL    lNFERENeES/r«?W  the  WHOLE  $/  this  BOOK. 


I  HAVE  now  endeavoured  to  enumerate,  and  eftab- 
lifh,  as  concifely  as  poflible,  the  different  rightr 
that  flow  from  the  natural  equality  of  men,  confidered 
in  its  proper  light.  Some  of  thefe  arc  fo  efTentially 
neceflary  to  human  happinefs,  that  they  cannot  be  vio- 
lated without  overturning  the  firft  principles  of  fociety* 
They  are  the  fundamental  articles  of  the  focial  compa(5>, 
for  the  maintenance  of  which  mankind,  if  not  explicitly, 
yet  tacitly,  and  by  the  inftitution  of  civil  fociety  itfelf, 
have  ftipulaled  to  relinquifti  fome  portion  of  their  na- 
tural liberty,  and  to  commit,  to  a  certain  number  of  its 
members,  the  concentrated  power  of  the  community 
for  the  benefit  of  all.  Civil  fociety  annihilates  not  the 
natural  rights  of  men,  but  fences,  fecures,  and  improves 
them.  By  circumfcribing  them  by  the  limits  which  the 
political  union  requires,  it  condenfes,  as  it  were,  their 
elTence,  and  gives  it  greater  flrength  and  folidity. 

Others  of  thefe  rights  flow,  indeed,  from  the  fame 
principles  ;  but,  as  they  cannot  he  fo  precifely  afcer- 
tained  as  to  eftabliHi  an  exa^  and  definite  claim  in 
every  particular  cafe,  they  may  admit  of  a  lefs  rigor- 
ous obfervance,  without  wounding  the  vitals  of  humaw. 
aflbciation.  If  thofe  of  the  former  clafs  conflitute  tbt* 
foundations  of  the  focial  fabric,  thofe  of  the  latter 
indicate  the  means  of  its  confolidation  and  higheft  im- 
H 


$6  AN  ESSAY,  Ic-c. 


provement.  When  all  tliefe  rights  are  maintained, 
according  to  their  refpe(5tive  importance,  as  far  as  the 
human  condition  will  admit,  focicty  is  flourifliing  and 
happy  under  whatever  form  of  political  adminiftration 
it  may  be  placed.  There  are,  it  is  true,  certain  forms 
of  government,  which,  as  their  conftitution  itfelf  threa- 
tens even  the  moft  important  of  them  with  deftru<5lion» 
are,  therefore,  effentially  bad.  But,  there  are  others 
which  maintaining  the  grand  prerogatives  of  human 
nature,  have  a  direct  tendency  to  advance  focial  hap- 
pinefs,  though  in  different  degrees.  Under  fuch  go- 
vernments maakind  may  always  confider  it  as  a  fortu- 
nate circumftance  to  be  placed.  That  government  is 
the  bed  in  which  all  the  inherent  rights  of  human  nature 
are  inviolably  fecured,  legal  authority  is  maintained, 
and  reftrifled  to  its  objeds,  the  power  of  the  ftate  is  em- 
ployed to  promote  the  general  happinefs  ;  and  inequal- 
ity itfelf  tends  to  preferve  equality  of  law,  and  parity  of 
obligation,  among  all  the  members  of  the  community. 


jmimii 


AN 

ESS  A  Y,    &c. 

BOOK     III. 

tVhat   are   the  DUTIES    refulllng  from  th: 
EQUALITY  of  MANKIND  ? 

II  "Hiiin  iHiiiw  ^1  III  iiwii  iiiLiaiitfiBaafftfrf' 

C  H  A  P  T  E  Pv     I. 
PRELIMINARY    OBSERVATIONS. 

THE  divifion  of  my  fubje(51:,  on  which  I  no^v  en- 
ter, opens  a  field  comprehending  every  fecial 
and  civil  duty,  becaufe  every  duty  of  this  clafa  fup- 
pol'es  reciprocal  obligations  founded  on  the  terms  of 
equality,  on  which  men  alTociate.  Nay,  as  in  order 
to  difcharge  the  duties  we  owe  to  our  fellow  men,  and 
fellow  citizens,  it  is  necefTary  to  rellrain  our  felfilH 
pafTions  within  juft.  bounds  ;  and,  as  the  Divine  au- 
thority fandions  every  human  alligation  and  religion  is 
the  firmell  bond  of  fcciety,  the  duties  of  "piety,  as  well 
as  thofe  of  felf-command  and  moderation)  might  be  in- 
culcated on  the  fame  pvincipics.  Hence  a  complete 
treatife  of  practical  morality  might  be  produced.  But, 
as  this  Eday  has  already  fwelled  beyond  the  bounds 
which  I  at  firft  propoled  to  it,  I  Ihall  confine  ru^rcif 
to  the  confidcration  cf  thcfe  duties  which  dircv^lly  flow 


t8  AN  ESSAY,  kc. 


from  the  principles  of  equality  already  eflablifiied,  anil 
from  the  rights  which  they  confirm.  The  duties  now 
to  be  illuftrated  will,  therefore,  correfpond  to  the 
two  grand  divifions  of  ri^j  explained  in  the   prcce- 

aling  Beok*. 


•  Ch.  II.  III.  IV.    VI. 


AN  ESSAY,  Ike  89 


C  K  iV  P  T  E  R     II. 

^//  MEN  equally  houftd  to  \\vs?\lqt  the  pRiMitiVE  RinMTfl 

of   HUMAN    NATURE. 


AS  the  inherent  rights  of  liumRti  nature  are  the 
fiindamenLil  articles  of  the  focial  corrpact,  f(.r 
tlie  maintenance  and  preferv-ation  of  which  civil  focie- 
ty  is  conliitiited,  every  violation  of  thefe  is  not  only  an 
atrocious  injury  to  the  individual  v.ho  fuffers  it,  but  is 
adiresfl  attack  on  fociety  itfeif.  No  pre-eminence  or 
prerogative  whatever  can  give  a  title  to  deprive  an 
innocent  member  of  the  commanity  of  thofe  rights, 
without  which  hisexiftence  is  either  precarious  or  mif- 
erahle  ;  and  every  attempt  to  infringe  them  is,  on 
the  part  of  the  aggrelfor,  a  renunciation  of  his  focial 
advantages,  becaufe  thefe  advantages  are  infeparably 
c<mne(n:ed  with  the  obfervance  of  th*  rights  now  under 
confideration.  It  is  to  fubflitute  force  in  the  place 
01  right  J  ^ndy  of  confequence,  to  acknowledge  thaliifu- 
perior  power  is  entitled  to  make  him  fubmit  in  his  turn  . 
This  principle,  carried  in  every  initance  as  far  as  it 
will  go,  tears  afunder  every  focial  and  civil  tie,  tram- 
ples under  foot  every di(51ate  ofjultice,  and  introduces  a 
■itite  of  unceafmg  hollility  and  violence. 

Indeed,  fo-  eflential  are  fome  ©fthofc  rights  to  the 
■very  exigence  of  fociety,  that  they  are  fenced  and  fecS- 
red  by  the  ftrongeft  civil  fandions.  Life  and  proper- 
ty cannot  be  diredtly  attacked  without  expofmgthc 
aggreffor  to  the  fevered  penaliios.  But  in  what  «i  va^ 
H2 


90  AN  ES3AY,  &c. 


riety  cf  indlreft  ways  iray  injuries  of  this  nature  be 
otFered,  without  any  rifk  of  human  punifhrnent  ?  Life 
is  deftroyed  not  only  by  the  dagger,  or  by  the  bowl, 
but  by  withholding  the  means  of  its  fupport.  Life  is 
not  fo  defirable  on  its  own  account,  as  on  account  of 
the  enjoyments  which  it  furnilhes.  Property  is  with- 
drawn from  its  lawful  pofTefror,  not  only  by  robbery, 
or  by  tlieft,  but  alfo  by  every  fpecies  of  unfair  com. 
merce.  Every  deceitful  pracftice,  therefore,  whereby 
advantage  is  taken,  under  whatever  colour,  of  the  ig- 
norance or  of  the  neceflity  of  men,  to  deprive  them  of 
their  property  without  an  equivalent,  is  a  violation  of 
the  right  of  property,  and  every  oppreffive  acl  which 
cuts  off  or  diminifhes  the  means  ofa  comfortable  fubfift- 
ence,Js  an  attack  upon  life  itfelf.  To  reduce  miCn  to  the 
difmal  necefflty  of  dragging  out  exiftence  in  miferj 
and  contempt,  to  make  them  curfe  the  day  of  their 
birtkj  and  figh  for  that  of  their  diflblution,  to  render 
the  tenderell  of  nature's  ties  an  aggravation  of  diftrefs  ; 
v'hat  is  this  but  to  fpare  life  in  order  to  perpetuate 
torment  ?  And  to  this  difmal  condition  how  great  a 
portion  of  the  human  race  is  reduced — a  condition 
more  abje(S  tlian  that  of  the  brute  creation,  which  na- 
ture has  provided  \vith  the  neceffary  fupply  of  their 
■wants,  and  given  them  defires  for  nothing  more ! 
Shall  any  rights  whatever,  derived  wholly  from  poli- 
tical inftitutions,  founded,  for  the  moft  part,  in  barba- 
rous ignorance  and  tyrannic  opprefiion,  be  oppofed  to 
thofe  clear  and  permanent  rights ^  which  the  Creator 
has  conferred  on  all  men  equally,  by  the  gift  of  life 
itfelf,  and  by  the  natural  faculties  of  providing  for  its 
fuppiy  !  Shnli  he  who  cultivates  the  foil  be  deprived  of 
ail  adequate  Ihare  of  the  fruits  which  his  induftry  pro- 
duces, ;;nd  pine  in  want,  while  the  labour  cf  his  Ifands 


AN  ESSAY,  kc.  fi 


feeds  luxurious  idlenefs  ?  Shall  the  rigf^t  of  property- 
be  eftabliftied  only  for  thofe  who  contribute  nothing  to 
the  general  (lock,  but  confume  and  wafte  v/hat  the  in- 
duftry  of  others  has  provided,  and  fliall  that  property 
which  nature  has  beftowed  on  her  children,  in  the  fa- 
culties of  their  minds  and  of  their  bodies,  be  confiderei 
as  a  mark  of  degradation,  and  a  badge  of  flavery  ? 

How  contrary  are  fuch  fentiments,  and  the  cGndu(5t 
they  produce,  to  thatjuft  notion  of  equality  above  ef- 
tablifhed,  which  reprefents  every  human  being  as  a  con- 
ftituerit  member  of  the  focial  body,  and  in  his  peculiar 
ftation,  equally  necefiary,  with  every  other,  to  the  com- 
mon welfare  ;  which  exhibits  man  to  man  as  children 
of  one  common  parent,  as  brcthcrn  connecfted  no  lefs 
by  one  common  intereft,  than  by  one  common  origin, 
and  difcriminated,  by  different  dillindlons  of  occupa- 
tion and  place,  merely  that  the  general  good  may  be 
more  effectually  advanced.  For,  although  fuch  views 
of  fociety  may,  by  fome  whofe  policy  is  but  half  wif- 
Gom,  be  clalTed  among  the  theories  of  moralifls,  or  the 
'vifions  of  divines,  they  are  the  only  reprefentations 
ihat  can  ftand  the  left  of  reafon,  or  bear  the  eye  of 
ir^quiry. 

Equally  incumbent,  on  all  men,  h  the  duty  to  rcf- 
peel  the  ri^ht  which  every  innocent  individual  has  to 
charaHer  and //^^;7/.  But,  how  little  is  this  duty  re- 
garded ?  Civil  laws  cannot  do  fo  much  for  the  fecurlty 
of  the  rights,  to  which  it  relates,  as  for  thofe  of  life 
and  property  ;  becaufe  it  is  not  fo  eafy  to  define,  in 
erery  cafe,  their  exadt  extent,  and  much  more  is,  on 
that  account,  left  to  the  difcretion  and  virtue  of  indi- 
viduals.    That  degree  of  cl^rafter  which  is  afTaulted 


92  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


by  open  and  dirtd:  calnmny,  may,  indeed,  be  always 
exadly  afcertained,  and  every  infraction  of  It  become 
the  fiibjecl  of  legal  animadvrerfion.  This  is  alfo  the 
calc  with  regard  to  perfonal  liberty.  But,  in  how  ma- 
ny inftancesnaay  a  charadler  be  ruined,  without  its  being 
in  the  power  of  the  injured  perfoii  to  find  any  legal 
redrefs  ;  and  how  much  may  one's  juIHiberty  be  cir- 
cumfcribed  and  infringed  without  any  ground  of  legal 
complaint  ?  The  daily  condud^of  mankind  towards  one 
another,  in  thefe  refpecls,isthe  ftrongeft  evidence  both  of 
the  neceflity  of  a  civil  government,  and  of  its  infuffi- 
ciencvforthe  fecurity  of  human  happinefs.  It  mani- 
fefls  the  malevolent  propenfities  by  which  mankind  are 
often  actuated,  and,  of  confequence,  the  neceffity  of 
coercive  power ;  and,  fmce  thefe  evil  propenfities 
burft  out  on  fo  many  quarters,  notwithftanding  the 
authority  of  laws,  this  evinces  the  great  utility  of  phi- 
lofophical  and  religious  inftrudion,  which  applies  to 
the  underilanding  and  the  heart,  and,  by  purifying  the 
fource  of  a^ion,  renders  ccndu^  more  conformable  to 
human  nature,  and  more  conducive  to  human  felicity. 

Do  unt9  ethers  as  you  nx)}Jh  them  to  do  unto  you,  is 
a  maxim  that  anfwers  every  cafe  in  which  we  can  have 
any  intercourfe  with  our  fellow  men.  It  is  founded  on 
theequality  of  human  nature,  iimidft  all  the  diverfities 
of  condition  and  circumilances.  It  takes,  as  the  rule 
of  condu'fl,  the  feelings  of  every  individual,  fuppofing 
his  condition  were  exchanged  with  that  of  tke  perfon 
towards  whom  he  aifls.  It  could  never,  therefore,  be 
a  juft  ftandard,  if  the  fame  duties  were  not  equally- 
incumbent  on  all  in  the  fame  circumftances.  Now, 
with  refpeft  to  reputation  and  liberty,  which  every  hu- 
man being  fo  warm?/  cheriflics,  aud  fo  eagerly  purfues* 


AN  ESSAY,  80c.  93 

this  rule  ought  to  have  peculiar  efficacy.  Yet,  in  thefe 
refpedls,  it  is  moft  IhamefuUy  and  frequently  Violated. 
Itis  aftonifhing  to  obferve  the  general  averfionto  reproach 
and  cenfure,  and  the  general  propenfity  to  reproach 
and  cenfure  others ;  the  high  opinion  which  moft  peo- 
ple entertain  of  themfelves,  and  wlfh  the  world  to  en- 
tertain of  them,  and  their  inclination  to  think  ill  of 
others,  and  to  undervalue  and  diminifti  their  good 
qualities.  It  is  natural  to  fnppofe,  that,  as  the  expe- 
rience of  diftrefs  renders  men  prone  to  compaffion,* 
fo  the  love  of  eharader,  and  averfion  from  difgrace, 
which  operate  fo  powerfully  in  every  human  breaft, 
would  render  men  delicate  in  inflicting,  on  others, 
thofe  pains  which  are  fo  grievous  to  themfelves,  and  in 
depriving  them  of  thofe  fatisfactions  which  they  ac- 
count fo  delicious.  But  thefe  fenfations  act,  under  the 
impulfe  of  felfiflinefs  in  a  contrary  manner.  Men 
think  that  the  reputation  of  others  ftands  in  the  way  of 
their  own,  and  that  thir  excellence  cannot  be  exhibited 
unlefs  thofe  intcrpofmg  eminences  be  thrown  down, 
and  the  public  eye  wholly  fixed  on  themfelves.  While 
men  are  thus  employed  in  levelling  each  other,  no  real 
pre  eminence  remains  to  any,  and  nothing  is  difplay 
to  every  judicious  eye,  but  one  wide  extent  of  maligL 
and  corruption,  Every  one  wifhes  his  opinion  of  i 
neighbor  to  be  believed  ;  and  his  wifh  is  granted.  Bu^ 
the  fulfilment  of  this  wifh  equally  wounds  the  charac- 
ters of  all.  The  blemifhcs  he  dicovers  in  another,  or 
imputes  to  him,  are  acknowledged  ;  thofe  which  ano- 
ther lays  to  his  charge  meet  with  the  fame  credit. 
Thus  every  one  by  endeavoring  to  exalt  himfelf  at 
another's  expence,  only  points  out  the  means  of  his 
©wn  depreffion,  and,  by  fetting  the   example,  provokes 

*  Hwd  ignara  mall  miferis  fuccuirere  difco. 


§n,  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 

i  • 

the  reft  of  niankind  to  ufe  them.  Such  however,  lsth« 
fafcination  of  felf-love,  that  the  generality  of  men  fup- 
pofe  thenjfelves  very  litttle  obnoxious  to  cenfure  ;  and, 
while  they  are  indulging  the  mod  vicious  paffions  of 
the  human  heart,  envy  or  revenge,  they  flatter  them- 
{elves  with  the  vain  notion  that  their  turpitude  is  un- 
obferved.  As  often  as  I  refie(5t  on  the  prevalence  of 
detradion,  of  obloquy,  and  of  flander,  I  find  it  difficult 
to  determine  whether  it  proceeds  more  from  weaknefs 
or  from  malignity ;  whether  it  is  more  an  objedl  of 
contempt  or  of  deteflation.  What  can  be  more  ma- 
lignant than  to  delight  in  the  deftru<5tion  of  owe  of  the 
deareft  of  human  enjoym.ents  ?  What  more  foolifli  and 
ridiculous  than  for  a  perfon  to  affault  others,  and  to 
fuppofe  that  the  attack  will  not  be  returned  ? 

The  fame  abfurdity  and  ihjuftice  is  conrpicuous  in  the 
mutual  condu<5l  of  men  with  regard  to  liberty.  How 
few  are  ready  on  every  occafion  to  grant  toothers  the 
fame  freedom  which  they  take  to  themfelves  !  Such  is 
the  fpirit  of  domination  univerfally  diffufed,  that  what 
Pope  limits  only  to  one  fex,  is  equally  applicable  to 
th — the  love  ofpleafurey  and  the  love  ofpo'-jjer.  Indeed, 
e  one  necelTarily  draws  after  it  the  other.  The  love 
A  pleafure  produces  the  defire  of  the  means  of  obtain- 
ing it,  and  of  extending  influence  and  power  as  far  as 
poifiblc.  For  why  are  men  tyrants,  but  becaufe  they 
wiih  freely  to  indulge  their  inclinations,  unrertrained 
by  jufticc,  unlimited  by  moderation  ?  While  feif-love, 
therefore,  is  the  predominant  principle  of  the  human 
heart,  tyranny  will  not  be  confined  to  thrones  and  'Jo- 
minions  to  principalities  and  powers,  but  fpread 
through  every  fphere  and  condition  of  iife.  It  is  not 
fo  much  the  incli nation  as  the  power  that  is  wanting  j 


AN  ESSAY,  3cc.  *      ^5 


and  the  temper,  which   is   overbearing  and    unjuft  in 
private  life,  would  be  a  Nero  if  feated  on   a  throne. 
Let  us  only  confider  the   fond  attachment  which  moft 
men  have  to  their  own  opinions  and  mode  of  life,  their 
eager  defire  to  impofe  them   on  others,  their  impa- 
tience of  contradi<5l:ion,  their   propenfity  to   fquare  the 
aflions  of  other  men   by  their  own   rule,  their    lull  of 
homage   and  precedence,  their  eagernefs  to  rife  above 
others,  and  to  indulge   their   ambition  in   every  little 
manner  which  their   fphere    prefents  to  them,  their  re- 
fentment  of  affronts  and  injuries,   apparent  as  well  as 
real,  their  felf-conceit  and  averfion  from  amendment 
—  we  behold  the  feeds  of  tyranny  lurking    in  almoft 
every  human  breaft  ;  and  &all  ceafe  to    wonder  that, 
when  great  power  is  poffefTed,  it  ftould  be  fo  frequently 
abufed.     How   feldom  is  the  freedom  of  fpeech   and 
action  enjoyed  even  in  the  freed  ftates  of  civil  fociety  ! 
Let  any  one  recolle<5l  what  paffes  before  his  eyes  every 
day  ;  let  him  confider  how  often  he  is  obliged  to  regu- 
late his  words,  not  fo  much  by  the  internal   fentiments 
of  his  own  heart,  as  by  the  opinions  and   prejudices  of 
thofe  with  whom  he  aiTociates,  and  his  adions,  not  fo 
much  by  the  immutable  rules  of  duty,  as  by  the  ficti- 
tious ftandards  of  the  world,  and  he  will  confefs   that 
none  can  enjoy  the  true  freedom  of  a  man,  but  he  who 
has  the  fortitude  to  facriflce  to  this  exalted  privilege, 
his  moft  valuable  temporal  interefts,  and  his  chief  focial 
pleafures     Prejudices    born  of  ignorance,  or  of  pride, 
are  nouriflied  by  education,  ftrengthened  by  intereft,  or 
fupported  by  that  felf-love  which   is  humbled  by  the 
cxpefition  of  them.     Cuftom  and  fafhion  have  eftab- 
lilhed  arbitrary  rules  and  forms,  which  however  con- 
trary to  reafon,  it  is  confidered  as  unlawful,  at  leaft,  as 
highly  ridiculous,  to   iufringe.     The  man  who  pre- 


f^  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 

fumes  to  think,  to  fpeak,  or  to  a^,  differently  from  the 
generality,  even  in  matters  oFXingular  importance  to 
the  common  good,  is  looked  upon  as  an  unfocial  fa- 
vage  being,  who  feparating  himfelf  frem  his  fpecies,  is 
entitled  to  no  fliare  of  their  regard  and  afFedlion.  It  is 
well,  if  he  is  not  expofed  to  the  fevereft  effe(fts  of  refent- 
ment  and  hatred. 

Wealth  and  external  dignity,  although  they  cannot 
of  themfelves  introduce  one  ray  of  light  into  the  im- 
derftanding,  or  implant  one  virtue  in  the  heart,  affume 
the  privilege  of  dilating  in  matters  of  tafte,  of  politics, 
of  fcience,  of  morality,  and  of  religion,  and  of  bearing 
down  all  who  fubfcribe  not  to  their  arbitrary  decrees. 
The  refpe<5l  due  to  rank,  and  the  influence  which  for- 
tune juftly  claims,  every  man  of  fenfe  and  of  integrity 
will  readily  acknowledge  and  beflow.  But  that  a 
man's  judgement  Ihould  be  meafured  by  his  title,  or 
his  merit,  weighed  by  his  gold  ;  that  fortune  and  rank 
fhould  not  only  pofTefs  their  rightful  precedence,  but 
alfo  ufurp  the  honour  which  is  equally  due  to  genius 
and  learning,  to  wifdom  and  virtue  ;  that  a  fenfible 
and  honeft  man  (hould  not  dare  to  exprefs  his  fenti- 
ments,  becaufe  they  are  repugnant  to  thofe  of  another 
decorated  with  the  badges  of  diftindion,  or  pofTe/Ted 
of  a  large  eftate  ;  is  fuch  a  perverfion  of  nature,  fuch 
an  infra<5lion  of  liberty,  as  mankind  could  never  be 
brought  to  endure  but  by  thofe  habits  of  fervility 
which  luxurious  effeminacy  has  introduced.  It  will  be 
anfwered,  that  this  freedom,  every  man  who  choofes  to 
ufe  it,  may  enjoy.  But  at  what  expence  ?  at  the  ex- 
pence  of  incurring  the  keeneft  difpleafure  of  the  exal- 
ted perfon  whom  he  difobliges,  and-of  feeling  his  power 
employed  to  ruin  him  ai^d  hisnearcft  connexions. 


AN  ESSAY,  5cc.  «»7 

But*  why  tomplam  of  the.  exorbitant  and  tj'ranni- 
cal  pretenfions  of  rank  and  fortune,  when  genius, 
which  has  already  feciired  fame,  frequently  exhibit* 
the  fame  dogmatical  and  oppredlve  fpirit  ^  How  of- 
ten have  thofe,  whofe  literary  chara<5ler  has  already 
attradled  the  greateft  confideration  and  refpe^fl,  ufur- 
ped  a  di<5tatonal  power  both  in  converfation  and  wri- 
ting, contradided  without  argument,  keenly  refented 
the  fmalleft  difference  of  opinion,  even  v>hen  their 
fentiments  were  manifeftly  abfurd,  fiiared  out  their  ap- 
probation by  the  meafure  of  fiattery  they  received,  and 
inflicted  cenfure,  not  according  to  perfonal  or  literary 
merit,  but  according  to  the  prejudice  or  difgufi:  by 
which  they  were  influenced.  In  reading  the  lives  of 
fome  dillinguiflied  geniufes,  I  have  found  my  indig- 
nation as  much  fired  by  their  pride  and  infol^ nee,  and 
by  the  tame  fubmiflion  with  which  they  were  borne, 
as  by  the  oppreflion  of  civil  djfpots,  and  the  fervility 
of  the  refl  of  mankind.  In  faft,  genius  and  reputation 
give  as  little  title  to  domineer  as  fortune  and  rank. 
For,  whatever  mental  fuperiority  a  many  may  difplay, 
he  is  inferior  to  others  in  m  ny  qualities,  equally  nc- 
ceiTaiy  to  the  common  good  as  the  talents  he  poiredcs. 
Brilliant  pouters  are  frequently  counterbalanced  by 
contemptible  v/eakne/fes,  and  great  virtues  by  lliame- 
ful  vices.  In  proof  of  this  afTertion,  I  might  inftancc 
the  lives  of  fome  of  the  greatell;  literary  chara(5lers. 

As  individuals  are  aduatcd  by  a  tyrannical  fpi- 
rit, fo  nations  claim  to  themfelves  the  preroga- 
tive of  reducing  to  flavery  others  inhabiting  a  difle- 
rent  climate,  or  diftinguilhed  by  « Hiiferent  colour 
of  countenance.  Ariftotle,  in  that  very  book  wl.'t-ie 
he   eftabhfhes  the  grand  principles  of  a  fice  gr^vem- 

I 


98  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


Jnent,*  is  not  aftiamed  to  afFert,  that  the  Greeks 
tv^ere  dcftined,  by  nature,  to  rule  the  other  nations  of 
the  earth  ;  and  founds  this  right  on  their  fuperior  ge- 
nius and  civihzation.  Had  that  philofopher  forefeen the 
prefent  ftate  of  his  own  country,  and  that  of  thofe  na- 
tions whom  he  confidered  as  appointed  to  continue 
barbarians  to  the  end  of  time,  he  would  have  acknow- 
ledged the  futility  of  his  argument,  Bui  the  nations 
of  Europe,  who  have  exchanged  barbarifm  for  re- 
finement, have  adopted  the  fame  principle,  and 
fuppofe  that  fuperiority  of  art  and  policy  carries  along 
with  it  the  right  of  oppreffing  thofe  whofe  ftate  is  ftill 
rude  and  uncultivated.  The  principles  eftablifhed  in 
this  Eflay  fufficiently  evince  that  no  pre-eminence  of 
iagacity,  w'ifdom,  ingenuity,  or  ftrength  can  entitle 
any  hnman  being,  or  any  fociety  of  men,  to  deprive 
others  of  the  inherent  and  unalienable  rights  of  human 
nature. 

But,  fince  principles  dlre(5lly  contrary  to  thefe  influ- 
ence the  generality  of  mankind,  the  prefent  ftate  of 
fociety  is  perfedlly  conformable.  As  few  men  have 
the  courage  to  facrifice  their  intereft,  their  pleafure, 
or  their  fame,  to  their  regard  for  truth  and  juftice, 
the  great  concern  is,  to  fpeak  and  adl,  not  as  reafon 
and  virtue  diftate,  but  as  interefted  views,  in  conform- 
3ng  to  the  opinions,  humours,  and  manners  of  others, 
may  require.  For,  how  is  the  favor  of  the  greater 
part  of  men  to  be  caught,  but  by  adulation  and  fer- 
vile  refpeft  ?  and  what  fo  efficacious  for  incurring  their 
difpleafure,  as  that  manly  and  generous  conduit 
aud  coiiverfation,  which  indicate  lefs   folicitude  to  (e* 

*  Politic,  lib.  I  mo. 


AN  ESSAY,  &c, 


cure  favor  than  to  enjoy  felf-efteem,  a  greater  love  of 
mankind  than  refped:  for  individuals  ?  Hence,  melt 
men  have  an  opinion  for  every  company  they  freq-jien':, 
and  change  their  fentiments  oftener  than  their  drefs. 
The  art  of  pleafing,  reduced  into  fyftem,  and  praclifei 
by  every  one  who  afTumes  the  charaifler  of  politenefs, 
has  given  the  fame  (hspe  and  coloring  to  the  manners 
of  all ;  and  thofe  prominent  features,  which  characte- 
rize and  diftinguifli,  are  rubbed  off  by  the  file  of  civili- 
ty and  falhion.  Politenefs  is  mailing  conftant  de- 
mands— propriety  impofing  new  laws — men  are  al- 
ways the  (laves  of  cuftom,  and  feldom  follow  the  bent 
of  their  own  genius  and  temper.  Society  is  a  fpecies 
of  ftage,  on  which  the  aftors  appear  in  their  turns,  and 
play  their  parts.  The  real  character  remains  behind 
the  fcenes.  The  great  ccntefl:  i?,  who  fliall  a<5t  with 
tlie  moll  pov/crful  efFeft  on  the  fpectators,  and  pro- 
duce the  completeft  illufion.  He  is,  therefore,  moPc 
applauded,  and  bears  the  highePc  price,  who  app>3ars 
leafthlmfelf,  and  perfonates  moll  fuccefsfuUy  the  ?S- 
fumed  charaAer.  Should  an  uncivilized  fon  of  nature 
be  introduced  into  our  European  circles,  he  would,  ai 
firft,  conclude  that  humanity  and  benevolence  had 
there  fixed  their  abode.  But,  as  foon  as  he  was  in- 
formed that  all  this  was  but  fccnery  and  ftage  eixv.dl, 
he  would  be  uncertain  whether  moft  to  admire  the 
ikill  with  which  the  reprefentation  was  conducled,  or 
to  deteft  the  duplicity  which  could  fo  completetly  af- 
fume  the  appearance  of  qualities,  of  v.'hich  thij  reality 
was  wanting.* 

By  thefe    dlUerent  infradions  of  the  original  rights 
•See  Ro^TcaOi  D.fcours  furies  Sciences  ct  Ics  Arts,  p.  l^ 


loo  AN  ESSAY,  ^. 


of  man  above  Tnenlioned,  focisty  is  reduced  to  its  pre- 
fent  unhappy  condition,  in  which  the  Hobbefian  ftate 
of  nature  appears  in  the  midH  of  civilization  and  re- 
finement. The  interefts,  the  purfuits,  and  the  paflions 
of  men  conftantly  a(5ling  in  oppofition,  infpire,  in  the 
midft  of  unceaHng  competition,  unremitting  caution 
and  felicitous  jealoufy.  The^fpecious  malk  of  civility 
and  ccmplaifance  is  often  affumed  to  conceal  the  mofl 
hofiiie  defigns.  The  language  of  nature  is  unknown, 
and  the.warin  sxpreffions  of  affedion  either  fall  to  the 
j^:oun^  dcllitute  of  all  meaning,  or  are  perverted  to 
convey  an  ironical  conceptionof  conter^pt  and  diflike.* 

ri®\v  diiTerent  would  be  the  face  of  fociety,  if  the  juft 
equality  of  mankind  were  duly  confidered,  and  the 
inherent  rights  of  human  nature  refpeOed  as  they 
ought !  Bmt  this  confummation,  devoutly  to  be  wiflied, 
will  only  take  place,  v/hen  men  fhall  believe  and  prac- 
tife  Chri(];ianity,  and  do  the  nvill  of  their  Heavenly  Father 
9n  e^rth-i  as  it  is  done  in  Heaven. 

*  Fug'fre  pudor,  verurraae  fidcfque  ; 
In  qu->rum  ijb.ere    locum,  iV^uderque,  doiiquf, 
ii.iJlidC^uc,  s:  vi5_,  et  amor  f.elcr.uus  habendi . 

Ovid.  MeUT;.  I.  j.  v.  \\m. 


AK  ESSAY,  &c.  xox 


CHAPTER     IIL 

The    DUTIES  9f  thofc    'who  are  placed  in    the    inferior 
STATIONS    #/*  LIFE     or    endoived    nvitb    inferior 

CAPACITIES     a7ld     PJWERS. 


IF  the  diilribntion  of  abilities  illuftrated  m  the  firtl 
Book*,  and  a  diverfity  of  ranks  in  fociety,  be  bcil 
calculated  to  promote  the  happinefs,  not  only  of  ihe 
focial  body  in  general,  but  of  every  individual  tb^t 
compofes  it,  how  iniquitous  arid  unrealbnabie  is  it  VQ 
oppofe  tliis  plan,  and  to  complain  of  its  arrangenicnt, 
becaufe  it  coincides  not  with  the  fuggefiioas  ofanibi- 
lion  and  caprice  ?  When  men  defpife  thofe  talents  an4 
that  rank  in  life  which  divine  providence  has  alIottc<i 
them,  and  afpire  at  others  for  which  they  were  nev<;r 
defigned  by  nature,  they  aim  at  fubverting  that  equali- 
ty of  obligation  which  affigns  particular  diuies  to  par- 
ticular abiiitPes  and  fituations,  and  requires  them  to  h^ 
anfwered  by  others  of  a  different  order.  For,  if  eve- 
ry man  is  at  liberty  to  defert  the  poil  affigned  him, 
and  to  invade  another's  province,  how  Tnall  the  ijifc- 
rior  Nations  be  filled,  which  are  not  lefs  neceifaiy  lo 
the  general  welfare  than  the  more  eminent  ?  If  in  the 
circumftances  in  which  any  given  number  of  men  can 
be  placed,  the^e  be  unavoidable  hardinips  and  incon- 
veniences, why  (liould  th-efe  rather  be  fupported  by 
iuch  as  have  never  been  accuUomed  to  them,  aiid  are 


12, 


102  AN  ESSAY,  ace. 


therefore  totally  unqualified  for  iheir  duties,  than  by 
thole  whom  education,  and  habit,  have  bed  adapted  to 
fuch  lituations  ?  Yet,  unlefs  thefe  inconvenencies  be 
endured,  thefe  difficulties  encountered  by  feme,  the 
ilations  in  queftion  muft  be  deferted,  and  a  void  left  ia 
the  order  of  fociety  equally  pernicious  to  public  and 
to  private  intereft. 

Still,  men  complain  of  their  fituation,  and  eagerly 
afpire  to  others  more  exalted  !  But,  is  there  any  real 
foundation  for  this  difcontent,  for  this  reftlefs  defire  of 
change  ?  Is  it,  as  people  pretend,  that  their  prefent 
condition  is  more  painful,  more  adverfe  to  virtue,  more 
inaufpicious  to  the  development  and  exercife  of  their 
power?,  than  thofe  which  th^y  fo  fondly  defire  ?  Or 
is  it  that  men  are  better  acquainted  with  the  difficul- 
ties  and  temptations  of  their  prefent  fituation,  than 
with  thofe  of  any  other,  have  fondly  magnified  their 
own  abilities,  and  ignorantly  placad  all  excellence  in 
the  difcharge  of  the  duties  of  fuperior  Rations  ?  If  we 
examine  the  cafe  with  impartial  attention,  we  fhall  find 
ao  reafon  to  hefitate  in  deternaining  the  quftion. 

Men  readily  grant  the  complaints  of  thofe  who  are 
placed  above  them  to  be  ill  founded,  and  afcribe  their 
dilTatisfaftion  to  jheir  folly.  They  haftily  prefwme 
that,  if  they  were  fixed  in  their  fituation,  they  would 
cafiiy  furmount  its  difficulties,  refift  its  temptations, 
and  fully  difcharge  its  duties.  Their  inferiors  pro- 
nounce the  fame  judgment  with  regard  to  them  and 
their*circumftances,  and,  if  they  envy,  they  are  envied 
in  their  turn.  A  convincing  proof  this,  that,  in  every 
condition,  there  are  advantages  as  well  as  difficulties  f 
thai,  liiuu^h  none   is  exempud  from  inconvenieiice, 


AN  ESSAY,  &c.  to3 

none  IS  abfolutely  infupportable  ;  and  that  difcontent 
with  a  piefent  ftation,  and  impatient  defire  of  a  high- 
er, proceed  from  mlftaken  notions  of  both. 

I  beg  that  it  may  be  confidered  that  I  am,  at  prc< 
fent,  fpeaking  only  of  the  different  ranks  and  fituations 
of  human  fociety,  as  they  are  diverfified  for  the  com- 
mon happinefs  of  mankind  ;  and  not  of  thofe  fingular 
conditions  cf  diftrefs  and  mifery,  which  fall  to  the  lot 
cf  individuals.  In  thefe,  patience  and  fortitude  may 
be  recommended  as  duties  and  as  confolations  ;  but 
contentment  can  hardly  be  required. 

But,  in  furveying  the  different  ftations  of  life,  al- 
though men  grant  that  there  are  difficulties  and  hard* 
fftips  in  all  of  them,  they  dill  believe  that  thefe  diminilh 
in  proportion  to  the  degree  of  elevation  ;  and  fall, 
with  the  greateft  weight,  on  thofe  who  occupy  the 
lowed  places.  They  fondly  imagine,  that,  if  they 
Gould  aftend  to  a  confider able  height,  they  fhoiild  there 
find  fome  agreeable  fpot,  where,  unmolefted  and  com* 
pofed,  they  might  furvey  the  fteep  which  they  had 
climbed,  and  enjoy  the  delightful  profpeft  opened 
around  them.  But,  they  refle<5l  not  on  the  difficulty 
of  the  afcent,  on  the  giddinefs  of  the  fituation,  or,  if 
they  fhould  chance  to  flip,  on  the  feverity  of  the  fall. 
The  preffiire  cf  corporeal  wants,  the  burden  of  daily 
labor,  and  the  humiliation  of  contempt,  conftitute  the 
primary  pains  ©f  a  poor  and  ignoble  condition.  It  is 
further  deprived  of  the  enjoyments  which  refult  from 
the  cultivation  of  reafon,  and  of  the  other  nobler  facul- 
ties of  the  foul,  and  is  conftrained  to  toil  amidil  the 
darknefs  of  ignorance.  If  thofe,  to  whofe  fhare  it  falls, 
feel  for  Uie  nsuAW^s  of  others,  they  eire  deftituts  of  the 


lof  AN  ESSAY,  &a 


means  of  relieving  them,  and  muft  fnfTcr  tlse  pangs  of 
compaffion,  without  the  divine  faii:Jii<ft ion  of  bencfi* 
cence.  PrelTed  with  their  own  (Jiftreircfs,  fechng  for 
ihofe  in  fimiiar,  or  in  Itill  more  afflicting  circumilances, 
and  obferving  the  fuperfluity  of  the  fons  of  fortune, 
they  are  apt  to  envy  their  profperity,  to  niurmer  at 
the  Divine  difpenfations,  and  to  pratftice  violence  or 
fraud,  in  order  to  obtain  what  their  fitaation  hai  de- 
nied them. 

They  confider  not,  hewever,   that  the  pleafures  of 
life  depend  not  (o  much  on  the  externals   of  condition 
ason  the  difpofitions  of  the  pofTcifor  ;  that  what  feems 
calculated  to  fatisfy,  and  to  limit,  defne,   ferves   often 
to  inname  and  extend  it  ;  that  the  enjoyments  which 
are  in  men's  power  are  not   thofe   which  they    really 
tafte';  and  that  to  with  and  to  purfue  is  the  unceafuig 
employment  cf  man  upon  earth.     He  who  afcends  a 
mountain,  and    beholds  the    view    unfolding    around 
him,  is  fired  with  greater  curiofity  to  reach  the  fummit, 
wheBCC  the  utmolt  bounds  of  the  profpcifc  can  be  defcri- 
ed.     In  like  manner,    no    moderate  e.x;:ltaticn   in  the 
fcale  of  fociety  can  falisfy  men,  wnofe  ambition  is  kind- 
led, and  whofe  a<!^ivity  engaged.     Every  ftep   becomes 
only  a  help  to  rife  higher  ;  and  defire  continues  impor- 
tunate even  after  its  obje<51s   are   all   exhaufted.     Alex- 
ander is  the  trne  emblem  of  ambition,  vv^hich  is  realefs 
while  any  thing  remains  above  it  5  and,   when   it  has 
reached  the  fummit  of  its  defire  s,  weeps  that  the   prci- 
grefs  is  finiflied  ! 

Ye  who  envy  fortune  and  rank,  not  fo  much  for  the 
fenfual  pleafures,  or  the  ind  ulgeneies  of  vanity  and 
pride  which  they  afford,  as  for  the  fttblime  and  elegarit 


AN  ESSAY,  &c,  105 

enjoyments  which  they  feem  to  offer,  in  the  improve- 
ment of  knowledge,  the  cultivation  of  genius,  and  the 
exercife  of  the  nobleft  virtues  of  human  nature — fay 
if  the  engagements  of  public  bun  nefs,  the  contentions 
©f  ambition,  the  interruptions  of  company,  the  endlefs 
exactions  of  ceremony,  the  allurements  of  pleafure, 
can  afford  much  leifure  for  the  improvement  of  the 
mind,  and  the  cultivation  of  elegant  ftudies  ;  or  that 
v.'hen  the  reputation  of  wifdom,  of  learning,  or  of  wit, 
IS  acquired  without  judgement,  application,  or  parts* 
and  flattery  amply  fupplies  every  deficiency,  there  i® 
any  incitement  to  fuch  noble  and  pleafing  purfuits  • 
In  a  low  and  indigent  ftation,  are  there  greater  temp- 
tations to  difcontcnt  and  envy,  than  v/hen  fuccefs  en- 
flames  ambition,  and  ambition  fpurns  every  inferior 
degree  ?  Are  the  motives  dronger  to  cultivate  honefty, 
and  to  obfervdthe  dictates  of  juftice,  when  the  feveri-i 
ty  of  punilhment  hangs  over  the  head  of  the  offender, 
than  when  concealment  is  promifed  by  intereft,  in- 
quiry removed  hy  intrigue,  or  im.punity  fecured  by 
power  ?  Is  there  lefs  fympathy  with  the  diftrefs,  or  h{s 
fmcere  joy  on  the  profperity  of  others, „  when  men  are 
reminded  of  their  fufferings  by  the  experience  of  their 
own,  and  depend  for  fubfiilence  on  their  bounty  and 
good  opi:uon — than  v.hen  luxury  removes  even  the 
afped  of  want,  and  opulence  fecures  independence  ? 
Is  there  lefs  piety  and  devotoin,  lefs  reverence  for  God, 
whrju  men  iiteraly  implore  him  for  £/aJly  bready  and  de- 
pend for  its  i«pply  on  the  continuance  of  health,  and 
on  the  fertility  of  the  fealbns,  than  when,  having  7?:uch 
goods  laid  up  for  many  years -^  they  eaty  drinky  and  are  mer- 
rj/*\  and  the  immoderate   draughts  of  plenty   render 

*  Luke,  xH.   19, 


io6  Al^  ESSAY,  &c. 

them  forgetful  of  t^e  bountiful  hand  that  beftows  it  ? 

Suppofing,  after  all,  that  the  advantages  of  cultiva- 
tion and  virtue  are  fully  improved  by  thofe  in  the  high- 
er ftations,  in  what  do  thefe  exceed  the  fame  advanta. 
ges  of  the  inferior,  fo  as  to  render  them  objeds  of  envy , 
or  caufes  of  difconient  ? — Has  not  every  member  of 
Chrirtian  fociety  fufEcient  opportunity  of  acquiring 
the '  fublimeft  and  moft  ufefal  branches  of  human 
knowledge — the  origin,  the  duties,  and  the  deftination 
of  man — the  relation  in  which  he  (lands  to  his  Crea- 
tor and  to  his  fellow  men — the  divine  nature  and  per- 
fedions — the  gracious  plan  of  falvation  the  Deity  has 
publifhed  to  guilty  mortals,  by  the  mouth  of  his  own 
Son,  and  by  his  infpired  apoftles — the  glorious  prof- 
peels  opened  lo  his  penetent  and  amended  children  be- 
yond the  grave,  and  the  gracious  means  he  hath  infti- 
tuted  for  their  perfedion  and  felicity  ?  Do  not  the 
heavens,  the  ocean  and  the  earth,  unfoiJ  their  magni- 
ficent and  numberlefs  beauties  to  the  eye  of  the  pea- 
fant,  as  well  as  to  that  of  the  monarch  ;  nay,  do  they 
not  difclofe  to  the  former  many  ravidiing  fcenes,  which 
the  latter  can  feldom  behold  ?  Are  not  many  even  of 
the  moft  ftriking  and  admirable  dlfplays  of  art,  which 
riches  have  produced,  and  continue  to  fupport,  equal- 
ly enjoyed  by  the  meaneft  paffenger,  as  by  the  pro- 
prietor himfelf  ?  It  is  a  grofs  miftake  to  fuppofe,  that 
to  provide  for  one's  family  by  a  Hid  uous  and  ho- 
neft  labor,  is  iefs  meritorious  than  to  fupply  tlie  poor 
out  of  an  opulent  fortune;  that  patience  is  Iefs  com- 
mendable thangeneiofity,  refignation  than  munificence, - 
meeknefs,  than  nwderation,  contentment  than  conde- 
fcenfion  ;  that  fociety  is  Iefs  b.  nefited  by  being  furnifh- 
cd  with  the  necelTaries  of  life,  than  by   being  ad-^rned 


AN  ESSAY,  &c.  107 


with  the  refiBsments  of  art,  and  by  the  produ<5iions  of 
genius ;  that  the  public  welfare  is  lefs  promoted  by  du- 
tiful fubmiflion  to  lawful  authority,  by  an  inoffenfive, 
regular,  and  ferviccable  conduft,  than  by  the  ena<?lion 
offalutary  laws,  by  the  judgment  and  punifhment  of 
offenders,  and  by  a  zealous  and  difinterefted  difcharge 
of  public  truft.  God  accepts  no  lef&  the  artlefs  devo- 
tion of  the  grateful,  though  uninftrudted,  heart,  than 
the  copious  and  fwelling  praifes  of  the  enlightened  un- 
underftanding.  The  coarfer  and  brawny  mufcles  are 
as  neceffary  to  the  perfection  of  the  body,  as  the  or- 
gans of  the  mo  ft  delicate  texture. 

It  is  thus  evident,  chat  real  happinefs  and  virtue  are 
not  limited  to  any  ftation,  but  are  equally  open  to  all. 
If  there  is  any  exception  to  this  conclufion,  it  muft  be 
in  favor  of  the  middling  fpheres  of  life — in  which  nei- 
ther power  and  opulence  tempt  to  opprefljon  and  dif- 
folutenefs  of  manners,  nor  poverty  and  ignorance  lead 
to  fraud  and  violence  ;  in  which  neither  pride  hardens 
the  foul,  nor  fertility  debafes  it  ;in  which  the  beft  en- 
joyments of  life  are  offered,  and  its  greateft  entice- 
ments to  corruption  excluded. 

From  all  that  has  been  faid  on  this  fubje<5l,it  clearly 
appears,  that  as  it  is  the  duty,  it  is  equally  the  interell 
of  all  who  are  placed  in  the  inferior  ranks  of  life,  to  dif- 
charge, with  diligence  and  afliduity  the  humble  ofnces 
of  their  (lation,  to  cultivate  contentment  with  their 
lot,  and  to  fupprefs  the  emotions  of  envy  towards  thofe 
who  are  more  exalted, 

It  may  indeed  be  objeded,  that  the  defire  of  ri- 
(w^  is  one  of  the  mod  powerful  motives  to  the  honQH 


t(^  AN  ESSAY,  5tc. 


and  acfl'ive  dlfcharge  of  every  foclal  dutr,  that  one  great 
point  of  equality  among  men  confifts  in  the  opportuni- 
ty which  all  ought  to  enjoy  of  exercifing  their  ufeful 
or  elegant  abilities,  and  that,  if  every  one  is  to  reft 
fatisfied  with  the  condition  in  uhich  his  birth  or  his 
circumftances  have  placed  him,  exertion  muft  be  dif- 
couraged,  and  the  general  welfare  be  deprived  of  the 
benefit  v/hich  refults  from  honeft  and  generous  ambi- 
tion. We  have,  moreover,  Ihown  above,  that  frequent 
exchange  of  ranks  and  conditions  feems  to  compofe  a 
part  of  the  divine  adminiftration  of  human  affairs.  If 
thofe,  therefore,  whofe  fituation  is  at  prefent  ignoble 
and  depreffed,  are  to  confider  it  nis  a  duty  never  to  af- 
pire  higher,  one  of  the  ftrongeft-checks  is  removed  from 
pride,  namely,  the  uncertainty  of  its  elevation,  while 
dejedlionand  poverty  are  deprived  of  one  of  their  moft 
powerful  confolations — the  e::peftation  of  more  prof- 
perous  days. 

It  ought,  however,  to  be  confldered,  that  the  doc- 
trine  above  inculcated  tends  not  to  preclude  laudable 
ambition  aad  induftry,  but  only  to  fupprefs,  on  the 
one  hand,  difcontent,  avarice,  and  envy,  and  to  remove 
every  pretext  for  indulging  thefe  paffions  under  the 
fpecious  colorings  of  more  elevated  and  generous  mo- 
tives ;  and,  on  the  other,  to  comfort  and  ftjengthen 
tiiofe  who  are  apt  to  view  their  inferior  ftations  with 
an  undifcerning  eye,  which  beholds  afEidion  where 
happinefs  may  be  found,  and  degradation  wijere  true 
dignity  may  refide.  Nay,  if  our  limits  admitted  of  it, 
it  might  eafily  be  (hewn,  that  tlie  faithful  difcharge  of 
the  duties  of  an  inferior  ftation,  and  that  contented 
and  cheerful  mind  which  partakes  of  its  greateR  en- 
joyments, are  the  fureft  and  Tafeft   means  of  advance- 


AN  ESSAY,  kc.  109 

went.  I  fliall  Tatlsfy  myfelf,  however,  with  pointing 
out,  in  the  following  chapter,  fome  important  cautions 
with  refpeft  to  the  improvement  of  our  condition. 


K 


uo  AN  ESSAY,  kc. 


CHAPTER      IV. 

•A  VTiotis  to   he   ohferved  in  the  ^vrsvit   of  a  kic hi. % 

tfW  WCr^  FLOURISHING     CONDITION. 


LfT^HE  defire  of  improving  one's  circumflanca 
X  ought  never  to  lead  to  encroachment  on  the 
rights  of  others,  whether  natural  or  acquired.  B7 
the  violation  of  the  former,  the  fundamental  princi- 
ples of  fociety  are  fubverted  ;  and,  by  that  of  the  lat- 
ter, the  order  neceffary  to  its  exiftence,  is  deftroyed. 
V/hoever,  therefore,  pretends  to  maintain  any  of  the 
natural  rights  of  man,  by  overturning  that  fubordina- 
tkon  and  juft  order,  vi'hich  is  the  foul  and  the  life  of  fo- 
ciety,  defeats  the  very  purpofe  which  he  has  in  view, 
and  exhibits  either  egregious  folly  or  egregious  wick-* 
ednefs.  In  either  cafe,  he  becomes  a  dangerous  ene- 
my to  the  public  intereft,  who  is  to  be  reftrained  and 
puniftied,  10  prevent  him  both  from  injuring  others 
by  his pra<5lice,  and  corrupting  them  by  his  example. 
Such,  however,  is  the  intemperance  of  human  pafllons, 
even  thofe  of  the  mod  generous  kind,  when  they  are 
Itrongly  excited,  that  the  ardour  of  liberty,  and  in- 
dignation at  oppreffion,  often  hurry  men  to  purfue  a 
condudt  diredly  repugnant  to  the  principles  of  equity 
and  beneficence  which  they  profefs — to  opprefs  others 
when  they  are  contending  for  freedom  ;  to  be  moft 
iniquitous  in  defence  of  juftice  ;  and,  with  a  view  to 
promote  the  welfare  of  fociety,  to  overturn  its  founda- 
tions. Let'the  timesjin  which  we  live,  declare,  in  1^^= 
ny  inftances,  the  truth  of  this  alTertioci. 


AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


II I 


11.  The  duties  of  the  ftation,  which  people  already 
occupy,  ought  to  limit  their  endeavors  after  advance- 
ment. The  co-operation  of  every  individual  for  the 
p'tiblic  good,  TDuft  firft  difplay  its  energy  in  the  fphere 
in  which  he  moves,  and  be  thence  tranfmitted  to  the 
other  parts  of  thefocial  body.  By  negleding  the  du- 
ties of  his  prefent  ftation,  a  perfon  withholds  the  por- 
tion he  is  appointed  to  contribute  to  the  general  wel- 
fare, and,  by  encroaching  on  the  province  of  others, 
may  clog  their  exertion  and  fruilrate  their  utility.  To 
arrive  at  a  more  agreeable  or  more  honorable  ftation, 
the  faithful  difcharge  of  the  duties  of  a  prefent  one 
ought  always  to  be  the  firft  means  employed.  When 
thefe  are  fulfilled,  every  fair  and  honeft  exertion  is  n<^ 
only  lawful,  but  even  highly  laudable,  as  the  grcateft 
adlivity  of  the  parts  then  advances  more  efleilu-aliy 
the  profperity  of  the  whole.  By  embr^icing  the  op- 
portunities which  occur,  and  by  exercifing  the  talents 
with  which  men  are  endowed,  they  manifeft  their  gra- 
titude to  Providence,  and  they  improve  its  gifts  to  the 
greateft  advantage. 

III.  The  duties  of  any  ftatioTi  to  Trhich  men  afpire, 
and  their  own  ability  to  difcharge  them,  ought  to  be 
confidsred  before  they  attempt  to  obtain  it.  For* 
to  occupy  a  ftation  for  which  one  has  no  capacity,  cr 
with  the  duties  of  which  he  is  totally  unacquainted, 
is  both  to  expofe  his  own  folly,  and  to  injure  fociety, 
by  betraying  a  truft  which  is  committed  to  him. 
Hence,  it  is  of  the  utmoft  confequence  to  acquire  a 
completTe  knowledge  of  our  own  talents  and  qualities, 
which  the  generality  of  mankind  are  fo  apt  to  magni- 
fy, both  to  their  ov/n  difgrace,  and  to  the  detriment  of 
Others.     Inability  to  difcharge  the   duties   of  any  iia- 


112  AN  ESSAY,  $^i 


tion,  reful ting  whether  from  narrownefs  of  onderftand- 
ing,  from  unhappinefs  of  temper,  or  from  infirmity  of 
body,  fhould  be  deemed  an  exprefs  declaration  of  the 
Divine  will  againfl:  the  acquirement  of  it,  and,  of  con- 
fequence,  a  boundar)'  not  to  be  pafTed. 

IV.  Men's  exertions  to  improve  their  condition 
feould  be  influenced  by  the  confideration  of  the  en- 
largement, or  the  contra(Stion,  of  their  utility.  From 
the  light  in  which  every  man  appears  as  a  member  of 
kuman  fociety,  to  whofe  benefit  he  is  bound  to  contri- 
bute in  the  moft  ample  manner  poffible,  it  is  plain  that 
itcan  never  be  lawful  for  any  one  to  change  his  pre- 
fent  fuuation  for  another,  in  which  his  utility  muft  be 
impaired.  This  is  to  prefer  private  to  public  intereft, 
to  pervert  the"quality  of  a  member,  to  demand  more 
than  is  compeniated,  and  to  lofe  all  that  dignity  and 
r2a.\  enjoyment  which  refult  from  the  moft  extenfive 
eneficence. 

It,  in  the  ftation  defired,  men  may  be  equally  ufeful, 
a<^  in  liiZZ  TrhiCa  tliey  occupy,  private  intereft  may  be 
allowed  its  full  force.  If,  together  with  advancement, 
opportunities  of  utility  increafe,  every  private  and 
public  confideration  happily  unites  in  ftimulating  to 
the  purfuit  of  it,  and  every  generous  heart  will  wi(h 
and  applaud  the  fucc  efs. 

Thus  the  rights  of  others,  the  duties  of  a  prefent 
fcation,  the  talents  requifite  for  a  higher,  and  the  more 
extenfive  utility,  are  the  limits  within  which  men  ought 
to  confine  their  exertions  for  the  improvement  of  their 
circumftances.  Thus,  juftice,  diligence,  ability,  and 
public  fpirit,  (hould  be  the  conftant  attendants  in  the 


AN  ESSAY,  &c.  113 


path  of  advancement,  and  the  cliltf  forwarders   of  the 
progrefs. 

But,  Iiow  little  are  thefe  confideratlons  regarded  ! 
When  interell  or  pleafure  are  conftituted  the  fole 
fprings  of  acVion, every  duty  that  has  no  tendency  to 
advance  their  ends  is  negledled,  and  offices,  inilituted 
for  the  benefit  of  mankind,  are  IKamefully  perverted  to 
iheir  prejudice.  When  the  projed  is  formed  of  rifmg 
to  preferment  without  regard  to  merit,  birth,  intereft 
or  party-attachments,  are  the  only  valid  gjc.nnds  rf 
pretenfion.  To  the  moft  felfifn  confiderations  the 
moft  important  interefts  of  fociety  are  facrificed.  Be- 
fore children  can  difcover  either  inclination  or  capa- 
city, offices  are  defigned  for  them,  and  kept  conftantly 
in  view  ;  nor  were  this  to  be  cenfured,  if  proper  care 
were  taken  to  give  them  a  fuitable  education,  and  their 
deftination  changed,  when  their  temper  and  talents 
were  perceived  to  be  incompatible  with  it.  But  thefe 
things  are  feldom  much  confidered.  Wliatever  lye 
the  genius  or  improvements  of  the  perfon  in  quedion, 
he  mud  move  in  tli€  particular  fphere  which  has  been 
chofen  for  him.  The  public  welfare  h  treated  as  a 
chimera,  which  it  is  the  bufmefs  of  a  man  well  (killed 
in  the  ways  of  the  world  to  ufe  as  a  color  to  varnifh  th« 
mod  interelled  defigns,  but  which  none,  but  an  enthu- 
fiadic  or  vulgar  mind,  can  think  of  adopting  as  a  real 
t)bje(fl  of  purfuiu  When  the  public  welfare,  however, 
is  obilrU(fled,  private  happinefs  can  not  long  be  enjoy- 
ed. For,  as  one  chief  caufe  of  the  diforder  and  cor- 
ruption, which  fo  often  lay  wade  civil  fociety,  is  the 
kittle  attention  which  is  lliown  to  adapt  men's  condi- 
tion to  their  abilities  and  tempers  ;  fo  the  mifery  of 
individuals  frequently  fpr'ngs  from  the  fame  fouioe, 
K2 


ii4  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


Men  Tnoviiig  in  a  fphere  for  which  they  were  never 
defi  gned  by  nature,  foon  grow  difgufted  with  their 
lot,  and,  finding  the  duties  of  their  ftacion  irkfome 
and  oppreffive,  either  negleft  them  altogether,  to  their 
o\7n  irretrievable  difgrace,  or  continue  to  difcharge 
them,  in  fuch  a  manner  as  is  equally  painful  to  them- 
felves,  and  detrimental  to  others.  Thus,  Divine  Pro- 
vidence takes  vengeance  on  mankind  for  infringing  its 
appointments,  by  allo\.ii.g  them  to  be  bewildered  in 
their  errors,  and  the  viiftims  of  their  own  infatuation. 


AN  ESSAY,  &C.  lij 


CHAPTER    V. 

T^g  l>v  TIES  of  thofe  placed  in  the  higher   ranks  of -lite, 
and    endorjjcd    'with    distinguished   abilities. 


IT  is  certainly  no  eafy  matter  for  a  perfon  not  to 
confider  himfelf  as  greatly  fuperior  to  the  reft  of 
his  fpecies,  when  every  one  of  thofe  who  furround  him 
pretends  that  his  honor  and  dignity,  his  pleafure  and 
fervice,  are  the  only  obje<51s  which  occupy  himfelf,  and 
ought  to  occupy  every  other  ;  when  every  one  ap- 
plauds, with  fervile  adulation,  his  moft  infignificanC 
fayings,  and  moft  ridiculous  adtions,  and  adores  him 
as  the  fource  of  wifdom,  and  the  centre  of  power. 
When  a  perfon  has  fo  many  occafionsof  beholding  hig 
fellow  men  in  a  contemptibk  lighr,  it  muft  require 
angelic  moderation  to  abftain  from  treating  them  ac- 
cordingly ;  to  negleft  thofe  advantages  which  his  cir- 
cumftances  and  their  fervihty  put  into  his  hands  for 
gratifying  his  own  paffions  and  caprice,  at  the  expence 
cf  their  moft  valuable  interefts. 

When,  therefore,  I  confider  this  ftate  of  things,  far 
from  being  furprifed  at  the  pride,  and  impatience  of 
contra didion,  which  often  charadcrize  the  higher  ranks 
of  life,  or  any  fpecies  of  diftinftion  and  eminence,  I  am 
more  difpofed  to  admire  the  c»ndefcenfion  and  humani- 
ty which  they  fo  frequently  exhibit.  For,  thefe 
vices,  though  more  obfervable  in  the  higher  fpheres, 
becaufe  tbe^   are  difpUjed  in  si  more   confpicuoug 


ii6  AH  tSSAY,  5cc. 


point  of  view,  are  by  no  means  confined  to  thefe,  but 
pervade  every  rank,  every  fjtuation  and  profelTion  of 
life.  Hardly  any  attainments  To  low,  any  circurn (lan- 
ces fo  circumfcribed,  as  not  to  afford  fcope  for  feif- 
fufEciency  and  oftentation.  Who  will  not  feer/j  great, 
if  he  is  as  highly  exalted  as  his  ideas  ofgreatnefs  reach, 
and  compares  himfelf  only  with  his  inferiors  :  if  he 
eftimates  his  own  knowledge  by  another's  ignorance, 
his  own  wifdom  by  another's  folly,  his  own  power  by 
anothei's  impotence,  his  own  wealth  by  another's  po- 
verty, his  ®*vvn  virtue  by  another^s  depravity  ?  On 
what  other  foundation,  than  on  this  partial  mode  of 
comp2(rifon,  are  built  the  pride  and  arrogance  of  even 
the  moft  exalted  of  miankind  ?  But,  if  we  abandon  this 
magical  glafs,  which  transforms  the  cottage  into  a 
palace,  and  the  infant  into  a  man,  and  contemplate 
cbje<51:s  in  the  true  lightof  nature,  we  fhall  find,  that  the 
great  difpute  only  is,  who  fhall  be  efleemed  the  ieaft  ig- 
norant, the  leafl  foolifh,  the  Ieaft  weak,  the  Ieaft  indi. 
gent,  the  Ieaft  corrupted  ;  tliat  pride  and  infolence, 
which  fubvert  the  parity  of  obligation  fubfifting  among 
all,  fhould  be  banifned  from  every  humanr  breaft,  and 
that  thofc  who  move  in  the  higheft  and  moft  iiluftri- 
Ous  fpherss  having  the  beft  opportunities  of  enlar- 
ging their  minds,  ought  to  regulate  their  opinions  by 
their  own  knowledge,  not  by  the  ignorance  of  their  in*? 
feriors,  to  acquire  real  dignity,  by  divefling  themfelves 
ofpaflions,  which  are  born  of  ignorance,  and  nourifhed 
by  delufion ;  aiid,  by  moderation,  equity,  affability, 
and  condefcenfion,  to  conciliate  benevolence,  enfurc 
lefpe^,  make  the  rays  of  virtue  eclipfe  the  fplendors 
of  fortune,  and  eftablifh  a  throne  which  Die  Heither 
can  «.re<5k  nor  overturn. 


AN  ESSAY,  &c.  117 

Would  men,  divefting  themfelves,  for  a  moment,  of 
the  prejudices  which  bh'th,  education,  or  luxurious  ha- 
bits, have  fixed  in  their  minds,  furvey,  with  the  eye  of 
reafon,  the  conftrudtion  of  fociety,  the  principles  on 
which  it  refts,  and  the  ends  which  it  purfues,  and  then 
contemplate  the  nature  and  perfedions  of  the  univer- 
fal  parent — what  a  different  light  would  be  thrown  on 
their  condition  and  circumftances,  and  how  different 
a  profped  be  difclofed  to  them,  from  that  which  they 
have  been  accuftonied  to  behold  through  the  mids  of 
ignorance,  or  the  twilight  of  felf-deception  !  Would  it 
be  poffible  for  them  to  fuppofe  that  the  Deity  lavifhes 
his  bounty  on  individuals  capricioufly  ele<5led,  merely 
for  their  pleafure  and  profit,  and  not  with  any  view  to 
the  univerlal  benefit ;  that  he  has  beftowed  on  one 
authority  and  power,  in  order  that  he  may  encroach 
on  tlie  liberties,  invade  the  properties,  and  overawe  the 
confciences  of  his  brethren,  and  not  that  he  may  pro- 
teA  innocence,  reftrain  oppreflion,  and  maintain  invio- 
late the  inter  sfts  of  jullice,  of  religion,  and  of  truth  ; 
that, on  another,  he  has  conferred  wealth  and  fupcrflu- 
ity,  only  to  furnifh  him  with  the  means  of  indulging 
in  luxury,  or  of  wallowing  in  intemperance,  and  not 
to  open  to  him  a  treafure  for  the  fupply  of  indigence, 
the  relief  of  diftrefs,  the  encouragement  of  induftry, 
and  the  reward  of  merit  ;  that  he  has  adorned  a  third 
with  fagacity  and  genius,  that  he  may  find  an  agreea- 
ble amufement  for  himfelf,  gratify  his  paffion  for  ad- 
miration, miflead  the  judgments,  and  corrupt  the 
hearts  of  his  fellow  men,  not  that  he  may  enlighten, 
and  improve,  and  lead  them  to  happinefs,  through  the 
path  ©f  virtue  ?  Can  any  man  of  a  found  mind,  who 
allows  himfelf  a  momont's  refle(5tIon,  impute  fuch  a 
fcheme  to  infinite  goodnefs  and  wifdom,  or  confidei*  it 


ii8  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


in  anf  other  light  than  in  that  of  the  mod  atrocious 
rebellion  againft  the  Divine  government  ? — A  perfon 
raifed  to  a  high  office,  placed  in  exalted  rank,  or  ador- 
ned by  diftinguifhed  abilities,  is  eftablifhed  on  an  emi- 
nence that  his  views  of  the  general  good  may  be  more 
extenfive  and  corre(ft,  and  that  he  may  apply*  to  its 
advancement,  the  powers  he  poiTeifes  with  the  greater 
advantage  and  fuccefs.  As  on  an  eminence,  iheieforej 
the  eye  is  diverted  from  proximate  to  remoter  objeds  ; 
fo,  in  an  exalted  ftation,  the  narrow  concerns  of  felf 
ftiould  be  lefs  regarded  than  the  grand  and  magnificent 
range  which    the  public  welfare  prefents  to  the  mind. 

Nor  does  this  view  of  things  diminifh,  in  the  fmrillefl 
degree,  the  advantages  refulting  from  eminent  rank, 
fortune,  or  abilities  ;  on  the  contrary,  it  greatly  enhan- 
ces them.  For,  if  we  exclude  the  opportunities  which 
thefe  afford  of  widely  diifufing  beneficent  influence, 
and,  with  the  imitation  of  the  divine  peifedions,  of  fha- 
rlng  in  fome  meafure  the  divine  felicity  ;  what  elfe  re- 
mains bytthe  meaneflgratificationsof human  nature, but 
an  augmentation  ofmifery  with  an  augmentation  c^fvice, 
&atotaldegradationofall  that  diftinguifhesman  from  the 
brutes  ?  If  the  rich  enjoy  not  the  pleafure  of  munificence, 
ofclothing  the  naked,  of  feeding  the  hungry,  of  fuppor- 
ting  the  falling  family,  of  rearing  the  orphan,  offweeten- 
ingthecup  oflhame-faced uncomplaining  poverty,  with- 
out rufHing  the  veil  that  hides  her  from  public  viev/  ; 
if  the  powerful  are  denied  the  fatisfaition  of  prote(5ting 
innocence,  of  reftraining  oppreffion,  of  drawing  modeil 
merit  from  its  retirement,  and,  by  the  juft  reward  of 
honor,  of  rendering  it  confpicuous  and  exemplary,  of 
defending  fubftantial  virtue  againft  fadion  and  in- 
trigue, and  of  promoting  the  public  good  by  noble    and 


AN  ESSAY,  &e,  119 

tifeful  undertakings  ;  if  the  wife,  the  ingenious*  aad  the 
learned,  are  denied  the  enjoynncnt  of  comforting  afflic- 
tion of  inftrudling  ignorance,  of  dire«5ling  perplexity, 
of  correcting  prejudice,  and  of  reclaiming  vice  ;  what 
remains  but  the  more  copious  indulgence  of  fenfuality 
— but  the  gratifications  of  the  moft  ruthlefs  paffions 
that  convulfe  the  breaft  which  they  occupy — and  the 
indulgence  of  the  moft  contemptible,  though  frequent- 
ly the  moft  pernicious,  vanity  difplayed  by  attempting 
tofubvert  the  grand  principles  of  morality,  and  to  poi- 
fon  the  divine  confolations  of  religion  ?  Is  there  in 
thefe  any  thing  which  a  man  of  judgment  would  value> 
defire,  and  purfue,  as  priinary  objeds  ?  Were  fuch  a 
perfon  informed,  on  his  firft  fetting  out  in  life,  that 
fuch  would  be  all  the  enjoyment  he  fhould  reap  from 
the  fondeft  obje<5ls  of  his  purfuit — would  he  confider 
the  purchafe  as  a  fufficent  recompenfe  for  his  toil  and 
anxiety,  his  frequent  mortifications,  and  afliduous  ftu- 
dy  ?  I  afTert  not  that  the  man,  who  devotes  wholly  to  fel- 
filh  purpofes  the  advantages  he  poffefTes,  has  no  plea- 
fure,  no  enjoyment.  The'  fenfualift,  the  mifer,  the 
vain,  the  ambitious,  the  proud,  have  each  their  parti- 
cular gratifications.  But  thefe  gratifications  are  un- 
manly and  bafe,  and  fall  infinitely  Ihort  of  the  delights  of 
a  faithful  difcharge  ©f  duty,  and  of  the  fublime  enjoy- 
ments of  beneficence.  Nor  can  it  be  alledged  that 
enjoyments  being  matters  of  tafte,  it  is  Impoffible  to 
afcertain  their  comparative  values  ;  becaufe  every  man 
will  be  partial  to  his  own,  and,  while  the  generous 
extol  the  joys  of  beneficence,  the  felfifti  will  ever 
find  their  happinefs  in  thofe  which  center  in  them- 
felves.  For,  in  order  to  compare  the  different  fources 
of  felicity,  it  Is  neceffary  to  tafte  them  ;  and  this  can 
pjijjf  be  done  by  men  of  an  exalted  and  capacious  foul, 


120  AN  ESSAY,  Ac. 


who  can  relifti  In  the  highefl  degree  both  the  pleafurcs 
which  attach  to  felf,  and  thofe  which  refiilt  from  be- 
nevolence. By  feeding  the  hungry,  does  any  man 
fpoll  his  own  appetite  ?  By  relieving  the  diftrefled, 
does  he  diminifh  his  own  relifh  of  eafy  circumftances  ? 
By  maintaining  peace  and  order  in  fociety,  does  he 
contract  his  imagination,  or  diminifh  its  powers  ?  By 
comforting  the  affli<5tcd,  by  inftru<5ling  the  ignorant, 
or  by  advifmg  the  perplexed,  does  he  render  his  concep- 
tion lefs  clear,  his  judgment  lefs  folid,  or  his  memory 
lefs  tenacious  ?  On  the  other  hand,  it  is  certain  that  a 
coniraiSed  felfiftinefs  weakens  and  extinguifhes  the  be- 
nevolent affe<5lions,  and  excludes  the  pleafures  they 
confer.  The  man  wo  feeks  in  wealth  only  the  means 
of  indulging  his  fenfuality,  and  promoting  his  conve- 
nience, who  afpires  at  power,  only  to  gratify  his  pride 
and  ambition,  or  who  purfues  knowledge  only  for  his 
own  amufement  or  vanity — fuch  a  man  can  have  but 
little  relifh  of  the  joys  that  fpring  up  and  flouriih  in  a 
focial  and  benevolent  heart.* 

What  is  it  that,  in  all  the  a(5lions,  and  all  the  cha- 
radkrs,  whether  prefented  by  daily  obfervation,  record- 
ed in  hiftory,  or  figured  by  imagination,  excites  ad- 
miration, and  engages  efteem  ?  Is  it  merely  extent  of 
capacity,  fuperiority  of  ftation,  or  largenefs  of  fortune ; 
or  is  it  liberality  of  fentiment,  and  kindnefs  of  heart  ? 
Place  the  faithful  friend,  tlie  affeflionate  parent,  the 
indulgent  mafter,  the  generous  patron,  the  incorrupt 
magiftrate,  the  genuine  patriot,  in  the  moft  difadvanta- 
geous  circumftances  ;  let  him  be  funk  in  poverty  j  over- 

•  Hence,  Ariftotlevery  juftly  aflerts,  in  fevcral  places  of  ha 
Ethical  wrltir.gs,  that  the^ood  man  is  the  oaiy  proper  judge  of  hap- 


AN  ESSAY,  kc.  121 


•whelmed  with  du'*grace,  tortured  with  pain,  he  will  ftill 
preferve  his  dignity,  and  command  our  refpe»5l  !  Nay, 
the  Idfs  he  enjoys  of  the  advantages,  and  the  mipre  he 
fufFers  of  the  evils,  of  life,  the  more  glorious  will  he  ap- 
pear !  But  no  fitvorable  concurrence  of  circumftances, 
neither  the  gifts  of  nature,  the  accomplilhments  of  arts, 
nor  the  fplendors  of  fortune  will  ever  be  able  to  bribe 
our  efleem  in  behalf,  I  fay,  not  of  the  fenfualifl:,  the 
villain,  or  the  tyrant,  but  even  of  the  unfocial  folitary 
mortal,  who,  though  he  offers  no  pofitive  injury  to  his 
fpecies,  yet  with  holds  his  endeavors  for  their  happi- 
nefs  !  Nay,  if  fuch  a  fuppofition  be  not  impious,  remove 
goodnefs  from  all  the  other  divine  attributes,  and  fup- 
pofe  the  Supreme  Being  unconcerned  for  the  happinefs 
cf  his  creation,  and  fay  whether  his  nature  would  then 
appear  as  amiable,  adorable,  and  tranfcendently  excel- 
lent, as  it  now  appears  to  every  receding  mind.  And 
if  goodnefs  conftitute  the  fupreme  glory  of  the  divine 
nature,  that  which  gives  to  every  other  perfedtion  its 
true  beauty  and  light,  and  completes  the  real  charac- 
ter of  Deity — Is  it  poffible  that  any  human  excellence 
or  advantage  fhould  compenfate  for  the  abfence  of  this 
primary  virtue  ? 

If  the  true  excellence  of  human  nature,  thus,  confifts 
in  benignity,  if  this  necefTarily  attracls  the  regard  of 
the  felfiOi  themfelves,  how  comes  it  to  pafs  that  fo  ma- 
ny who  have  the  nobleft  opportunities  of  gratifying  a 
difpofition  fo  beautific  and  glorious,  can  be  reconciled 
to  a  contrary  conduift — to  fenfuality,  oppreffion,  and 
perverfion  of  the  fineft  abilities  ?  The  weaknefs,  the 
bllndnefs,  and  the  corruption  of  human  nature,  are  the 
only  fatisfacVoty  caufes  that  can  be  alledged. 


izi  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


But,  even  in  anions  the  mod  apparently  felfifh  and 
groveling,  a  difcerning  eye  will  be  able  to  difcover 
Ibm^aint  gleams  of  generofity  which  illumine  and  re- 
commend them.  Senfuality  is  clothed  with  the  fpe- 
dous  coloring  of  fociality,  of  pleafure  communicated 
as  well  as  received,  of  jocularity  and  mirth,  of  free- 
dom, and  contempt  of  fervile  reftraint.  Oppreffion 
and  tyranny  are  prefented  to  the  mind  under  the  ap- 
pearance of  dignity,  of  a  high  fenfe  of  honor,  a  noble 
ambition,  attachment  to  party,  nay,  even  of  a  love  of 
juftice.  Without  thefe  fidlitious  images,  the  fenfualift 
would  appear  to  hirafelf  as  the  moft  contemptible^ 
and  the  cpprefTor  as  the  moft  odious,  of  mankind. 

But,  why  multiply  arguments  in  a  matter  where  a 
moment's  feeling  is  more  decifive  than  an  age  of  rea- 
foning  ?  Had  you  ever  a  faithful  friend,  into  whofebo- 
fom  you  poured  all  the  fecrets  of  your  heart — a  pa- 
rent, whofe  burden  of  years  you  lightened,  whofe  tot- 
tering limbs  you  fupported — a  child,  whofe  affiduous 
duty,  whofe  budding  virtues,  fweetened  all  your  cares 
of  the  prefent,  and  brightened  all  your  hopes  of  the 
future — did  ever  the  fympathetic  gufh  ftart  in  your  eye 
at  the  fight  of  mifery — did  ever  your  hands  ftretch  forth 
the  unexpeded  relief,  and  difpel  the  gloom  that  hangs 
on  the  brow  of  woe,  as  the  fun,  burfting  through  the 
clouds,  renews  the  face  of  nature — did  you  ever  dif- 
charge  an  important  triuft  with  dignity,  difintereftednefs, 
and  honor,  and  fpread  peace  and  joy  among  your  fel- 
low men,  while  t/^e  ear  njohen  it  heard  you  hlejj'ed youy  and 
the  eye  ivhen  it  fanuyou  gave  'witnefs  to  you* — fay  what 
delight  thefe  recoUedions  afford — would  you  exchange 

*   Job,    xxlx,   II, 


AN  ESSAY,  &c.  123 

them  for  a  life-time  of  the  moft  refined  fenfuallty— ■ 
for  Peruvian  treafures — or  Afiatic  power  ? 

It  appears,  then,  that  the  dignity  of  human  nature 
confiiis  not  in  the  greatnefs  of  men's  abilities,  wealth, 
or  dominion,  but  in  expanfion,  and  benignity  of  foul  ; 
that  the  former  are  only  means  of  promoting  the  pur- 
pofesofthe  latter,  and  figns  that  their  pofiefTors  are 
p^articularly  called,  by  Divine  Mppcintment,  to  gene- 
rous and  elevated  adion  ;  that  one,  who  poiTeffes  all 
thefe  advantages,  may  be  more  contemptible  than  thofe, 
v/ho,  though  devoid  of  them,  have  the  heart  which 
could  apply  them  to  their  proper  ends  ;  and  that  one 
firm  purpofe  of  doing  good,  will  adorn  a  charafter 
more  than  the  acuteA:  underftanding,  the  moft  opulent 
fortune,  or  the  moft  exalted  rank,  unaccompanied  with 
a  virtuous  difpofition.  Hence,  to  be  filled  with  pride 
and  contempt  of  thofe  below  us,  on  account  of  our  ta- 
lents, or  external  circumftances,  without  any  regard  to 
the  right  application  of  them,  is  both  to  act  unjuftly, 
by  asking  inconfiftently  with  the  charyfter  of  mem- 
bers of  the  community,  and  ufurping  the  rights  which 
belong  to  it  alone,  and  to  overturn  the  bafis  on  which 
true  fuperiority  muft  ever  reft.  It  is  to  content  our- 
felves  with  the  fhadow,  without  the  fubftance,  of  great- 
nefs ;  and,  while  God  and  men  unite  in  calling  us  to 
a  pre-eminence  and  happinefs  which  neither  time,  nor 
fortune,  nor  death  can  remove,  to  defcend  to  the  moft 
contemptible  of  all  conditions,  by  perverting  the  moft 
fplendid  powers,  and  the  richeft  opportunities — to  em- 
brace the  hi«leous  form  of  mifery  while  celeftial  felicity 
courts  us —  to  change  a  fertile  field  into  a  barren  heath 
. — to  dwell  in  a  dungeon  while  we  may  walk  in  the 
doft  refplendent  day.     In  a  word,  it  is  the  duty  of  thofe 


124  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


who  are  raifed  to  the  higher  flations  of  life,  pofle/Ted  of 
the  gifts  of  fortune,  or  endowed  with  fuperior  abilities 
— to  maintain  juftice,  order  and  peace,  in  fociety  ;  to 
Ondy  and  purfue  the  public  gccd  ;  to  relieve  diftrefs, 
to  encourage  induftry,  to  re  A'ard  merit,  to  exercife  con- 
defcenfion  and  affability  towards  their  inferiors  ;  to  cul- 
tivate and  extend  ufeful  and  elegant  knowledge  ;  to  ef- 
tablifh,  and  inculcate,  the  grand  principles  of  morality 
and  religion,  to  enlighten,  liumanize,  and  improve 
K)ankind,  aud  to  lead  them  to  virtue  and  happinefs. 

Thofe  who  employ  in  this  manner  the  opportunities 
and  talents  with  which  they  are  furniflied  by  Divine 
Frovjder.ce,  are  entitled  to  the  highefl  veneration  of 
mankind.  It  is  then,  that  nobility,  illuftrious  fiation, 
or  diftinguiihed  parts,  appear  in  their  full  fplencfor,  and 
exhibit  their  poffeiTors  as  a  fpecies  of  divinities  upon 
earth,  who,  bearing  the  refemblance  of  God  as  far  as 
human  nature  will  permit,  (hare  alfo  his  felicity,  and 
claim  the  homage  of  the  v.'orld.  Let  them  be  difplayed 
as  the  infirun.f.its  of  beneficence,  they  will  reign  with 
aft  irreiiftible  and  permanent  dominion,  which  neither 
envy,  nor  malice,  nor  fadion,  nor  tumult,  will  be  able 
lo  overturn  ;  for  it  is  founded  in  the  hearts  of  men  who, 
feeling,  and  rejoicing  in,  its  blififul  influences,  muft  ceafe 
to  love  themfelves,  before  they  can  wifh  to  withdraw 
their  refped  and  obedience. 

But,  when  riches  are  only  the  fund  of  a  fordid  ava- 
rice, or  the  fountain  of  licentioufnefs  and  profligacy  ; 
when  wifdom  is  perverted  into  crafi,  and  abilities  tranf- 
formed  into  the  minifters  of  cabal  and  intrigue^  of  de- 
ception and  ignoble  policy,  ertablifii,  uphold,  or  extend, 
civil  or  religious  defpotifm  ;  when   rsfplendent  genius 


AN  ESSAY,  5cc.  125 


IS  employed  in  rebellion  agalnll  God,  and  In  the  cor- 
ruption of  men,  by  propagating  irreb'gion  and  immo- 
rality ;  when  pre-eminence  and  authority  a;e  in  civil 
life,  ufed  as  the  inilruments  of  pride,  injuilice,  oppref- 
fiOA,  and  cruelty,  or  fupreme  power  impeikd  by  infa- 
t'lable  ambition,  deluges  the  earth  with  blood,  and 
fpreads  devadation  and  mifery  li>rough  the  habitations 
of  men— reafon  eafily  penetrates  the  falfe  glitter  that 
furrounds  them,  and  perceives  their  dtfoimity  and 
blacknefs.  She  declares  their  iiiftre  to  refemble  that  of 
thofe  noxious  vapours,  which,  rifing  from  the  earth, 
are  kindled  into  a  flaOi  in  the  (k\',  and  terminate  in 
noii'e  and  dert:ru6tion  ;  while  ihofe  who  apply  their 
talents,  their  riches,  or  power,  t.o  the  beneficent  ends 
for  which  they  are  deftined,  are  like  th^t  glorious  lu- 
minary in  the  heavens,  which  fnincs  with  a  conftant 
and  ialutary  light. 

Thou  proud  infolent  mortal  !  who  lookePr  down 
from  thy  lofty  ftation  on  thy  brethren  of  men,  and  im- 
agined thtm  enly  formed  to  bring  their  gifts  to  thy 
altar,  and  to  bend  before  thee  wkh  ferviie  homage, 
know  that  thy  elevation  only  renderc  thee  more  con- 
fpicuoady  contemptible  !  Confider  that,  fhould  thofe 
whom  thou  fo  infolently  dii'pifefl:,  adopt  th'*-  .f>rincipks, 
andburlt  the  bands  of  focird  union  by  which  alone  they 
are  made  thy  dependants,  the  power  is  theirs,  and 
thine  only  the  fhadow  and  the  phantom.  Shou-ld  they 
only  withdraw  their  fupport  without  inflicfling  any  po- 
fitive  evil,  thou  wouldft  precipitately  fink  into  a  degra- 
dation lower  than  that  of  the  meaneft  laborer.  Lefs 
inured  to  want,  thou.. wouldil  be  lefs  able  to  provide 
for  its  fupply,  and  have  lefs  reafon  to  exped  it  from  the 
benignity  of  others. ■  Confider  that,  even  in  thy  pre 
L  2 


i2iS  AN  ESSAY,  Sec. 


lent  elevation,  thou  art  really  more  dependant  than  the 
moft  ignoble  of  the  fons  of  men.  If  he  is  leaft  depend, 
ant  who  ftands  leaft  in  need  of  others,  he  is  furely  moft 
dependant  who  ftands  moft  in  need  of  them.  With 
cur  rank,  our  necefTities,  our  demands,  our  cares,  in- 
creafe.  The  links  by  which  we  are  joined  to  our  fellow 
ir.cn  are  multiplied,  and  the  very  circunfiftance  which 
enlarges  our  influence  diminifties  our  internal  ftrength. 
He,  therefore,  who  has  the  greateft  number  of  depend- 
ants, has  only  the  greateft  number  of  thofe  to  whom  he 
h  indebted  for  confideration  and  power.  The  more 
lofty  and  fpacious  the  edifice  is,  with  the  greater  pre- 
cipitation, if  its  pillars  are  fapped,  does  it  rufti  into  ruin* 
Learn  then  to  feek  thy  importance  and  dignity,  where 
•nly  thou  wilt  find  them,  by  difcharging  every  duty 
which  thy  ftation  requires,  and  by  diffufing,  by  thy 
affability  and  beneficence,  happinefs  among  mankind. 
Relinquifhing  the  phantoms  of  pride,  enjoy  the  fubftan- 
tial  pre-emineRce  of  virtue. 

But  ye  !  who  employ  your  diftinguifhed  abilities,  or 
exalted  power,  for  the  purpofes  for  which  Providence 
has  be  ft  owed  them,  fear  not  that  any  portion  of  that 
refpe<n:,  obedience,  and  honor,  to  which  you  are  enti- 
tled, will  be  withdrawn.  Goodnefs,  moving  in  an  ele* 
vated  fphere,  and  guided  by  diftinguifhed  wifdoln, 
fhines  with  fuch  an  amiable  luftre,  pofFefies  fuch  a  com- 
manding influence,  and  is  fo  irrefiftably  attractive,  that 
fhe  reigns  over  the  hearts  of  men,  and  is  often  conftrain- 
ed  to  blufh  at  the  homage  (he  receives,  becaufe  it  ap- 
proaches adoration.  Power  may  intimidate,  fplendor 
may  dazzle,  genius  may  furprife  and  delight,  but  good-  • 
&ef&  ftl«ne  can  captivate  the  heart ! 


AN  ES$AY,  «6.  tit 


CHAPTER    VI. 

nvriEs  (om?»on  fo  ALL  nuit/?  regard  io  t/^e  use   of  ike: ^ 

OFtORTUNITIES  ^«^  TALENTS. 


WHOEVER  attentively  examines  the  human  con^ 
ftitution  will  difcovei  in  it  feveral  inconfiften- 
ties  not  fo  eafily  accounted  for.  Thus,  mankind  have 
a  ftrong  propenfity  to  ibciety,  and  are  miferable  with- 
out it  ;  yet  in  fociety  they  are  prone  to  indulge  the 
moft  unfocial  difpofnions.  Nature  conftantly  draws 
them  to  their  fpecies,  and  points  out  their  fweeteft  en- 
joyments, as  folely  derivable  from  this  fource  ;  yet 
the  felfifh  part  of  our  frame,  counterading  this  didate 
of  nature,  corrupts  the  grand  ftreams  of  happinefs,  by 
turning  them  into  its  own  channel,  and,  inftead  of  al  - 
lowing  the  individual  to  adt  as  a  member  of  the  focial 
body,  and  to  receive  from  this  capacity  his  higheft 
dignity  and  enjoyment,  endeavors  to  render  fociety 
fubfervient  to  ihe  individual.  There  is  in  all  men  a 
wonderful  fondnefs  of  independence,  and  a  no  lefs  fur- 
prifing  defire  of  the  fervice  aad  refpe«5l  of  others^ 
I'his  is,  in  fa<fl,  to  join  the  greateft  contradidions> 
to  force  into  union  things  abfolutely  incompatible  ; 
for  independence  can  only  be  fecure^,  by  an  entire  fe- 
paration  from  mankind,  by  relinquifhing  every  claim 
to  their  good  offices  and  regards,  by  renouncing  every 
focial  enjoyment,  and  by  deriving  happinefs  from  the 
ftoresoffelf.  As  foon  as  man  enters  into  the  ibcial 
tmlof  and  iharcs  its  beaeEciziI  infiueaces|  he  reli&* 


If^^  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 

quifhcs  his  feparate  exiftence,  and  forming  a  part  of  a 
fyftem,  is  limited  by  the  relations  which  he  bears  to  the 
other  parts,  and  to  the  whole,  becomes  bound  to  con- 
tribute to  their  fupport  and  perfedion,  according  to 
the  fupport  and  benefit  which  he  receives  from  them, 
and  is  required  to  exert  a  beneficial  a<flivity  propor- 
tioned to  the  influence  he  poiTefTes.  Whoever  with- 
holds from  the  general  good  any  portion  of  ufefal  ef- 
fort he  is  able  to  beftow,  is  unfiiithful  to  the  conditions, 
on  which  he  enjoys  the  benefits  of  foc^ety,  and  violates 
that  equality  of  obligation  wiiich  fubfifts  among  all 
mankind.  He  alfoTruibates.  as  far  as  lies  in  his -pow- 
er, th^it  plan  of  Divine  w^fdom,  whereby  the  general 
felicity  is  intended.  For  it  is  certain  that  the  Univer- 
fal  Parent  has  diftributed  among  men  fuch  a  portion 
of  abilities  and  powers,  as,  duiy  cnlti\''ated  and  impro- 
ved,  would  render  the  condition  of  all  comfortable,  in 
every  refpect,  and  happy.  In  the  prefent  ftate  of  fo- 
ciety,  fome  are,  indeed,  overburthened  with  labor,  and 
enjoy  but  a  finall  degree  of  convenience  ;  while  others 
loiter  in  indolence,  and  confume  the  fruits  of  indultry. 
This,  however,  could  never  be  the  ca^e,  did  every  one 
cultivate  with  diligence  his  peculiartaleiits,an.l  difcharge 
the  duties  of  his  peculiar  ftation.  It  is  the  ncgleft  of  this 
alone  that  makes  it  neceffaryto  overload  fome,  in  order 
to  fupport  that  part  or  the  common  burden,  from  which 
others  have  treacherouily  withdrawn  themfeives. 

Hence  the  principle  of  ^^?^iz//7;',  above  illuitrated 
requires  not  only  that  all  men  fhould  religioufly  re- 
gard the  rights  of  ethers,  but  that  they  Ihould  exert 
themfeives,  to  the  utmoil  of  their  ability,  for  the  com- 
mon benefit.  Whoever  rejeds  this  requifition  defcend^ 
l^elow  tlie  rank  of  a  member  of  fociety,    and,   inftead 


AN  ESSAY,  ^c-  IJ9 

•f  rlfin^,  as  is  fooliOily  fuppcfe^,  above  the  reft  of 
mankind,  by  a  life  of  Idlenefs  and  diflipation,  degrades 
himfelf  to  the  condition  of  a  beggar,  who  lives  on  the 
labor  of  others,  without  making  any  juft  return  for  it. 
For,  however  ftrange  it  may  found,  it  is  undoubted, 
that  fociety  has  a  right  to  the  beft  exertion  of  all  its 
members,  of  the  higheft  as  well  as  of  the  loweft,  of 
the  moft  opulent  as  well  a  s  of  the  pooreft,  for  the  com- 
mon good. 

The  queftion  is  not,  what  advantage  every  indivi- 
dual is  content  to  reap  from  his  own  powers  and  op- 
portHnities,  but  what  degree  of  general  utility  he  can 
eiFeduate.  Thefe  powers  have  not  been  beftowed  on 
him,  by  their  divine  author,  folely  for  his  own  ufe,  but 
chiefly  for  the  benefit  of  the  human  race,  to  whofe 
happinefs  he  is  deftined  to  contribute.  This  proper 
exercife  of  the  powers  of  every  individual  all  the  other 
members  of  fociety  Jiave  aright  to  demand,  on  fair 
and  equal  terms.  The  equivalent  every  individual 
obtains  by  the  advantages  and  comforts  which  he  re- 
ceives from  focial  life,  and  ftill  more  by  that  fuperflu- 
ity  which  enables  any  one  to  live  in  floth.  He  is  a 
debtor  to  the  grand  community  of  mankind,  and  his 
creditors  can  call  him  to  repay. 

It  is  true  that,  fince  it  is  fo  difficult  to  determine 
the  extent  of  f very  one's  capacity,  ami  the  exa(5l  mea^ 
fure  of  the  focial  advantages  he  enjoys,  no  precife  claim 
can  be  eftablilhed  in  every  particular  cafe.  But,  the 
general  obligation  remains  equally  ftrcng  on  all,  ar<J 
none  can-wiifully  violate  it  without  incurring  the  blame 
of  his  own  mind,  and  the  difpleafure  of  the  author  of 
his  exiftence.       The  principle,   therefore^  on   whick 


it^  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 

fome  ancient  legiflators  prohibited  any  citizen,  of  what* 
ever  condition  or  rank,  from  living  in  idlenefs,  vv^as 
perfe(5llyjuft  in  itfelf,  although  the  execution  of  any 
law  grounded  upon  it  muft  ever  be  extremely  difficult, 
and  might  occafion  greater  inconveniencies  than  thofe 
which  it  fliould  be  intended  to  obviate. 

As  indolence,  and  the  negle<rt  of  opportunities  of 
utility,  are  highly  unjuft,  fo  they  are  extremely  con- 
temptible.  For,  what  charader  can  be  more  the  obje<5l 
of  contempt,  than  that  of  a  perion  who,  though  en- 
dowed with  a<5live  powers,  and  furnifhed  with  ample 
opportunities  of  benefiting  that  [)articular  fociety  to 
which  he  belongs,  and  from  which  he  receives  conftant 
defence  and  protedion,  vet  lives  on  the  labor  either  of 
his  predecefTors  or  contemporaries,  without  teftifying 
any  approbation  of  their  induftry,  by  which  he  fubfifts, 
or  making  any  efforts  to  imitate  their  laudable  exam- 
ple ?  What  can  degrade  a  man  more  in  his  own  eyes, 
than  the  confideration  that  he  has  done  nothing  to  be- 
nefit his  friends,  to  oblige  his  neighbors,  to  educate 
and  eftablifh  his  children,  or  to  promote  the  interefl 
and  honor  of  his  country  ;  that  he  has  buried  his  ta- 
lents, defeated  the  end  of  Providence  in  beftowing  them, 
and  that,  when  he  is  cut  off  by  death,  the  world  will 
^e  delivered  from  an  unneceffary  burden,  from  a  pu- 
rid  excrefcence  ? 

On  the  other  hand,  what  can  convey,  to  any  perfon, 

1  higher  idea  o(  his  own  worth  and  importance,   than 

he  reflexion  that,  though  but  an  individual  endowed 

/ith  one  clafs  of  abilities,  yet,  by  their   improvement, 

iie  not  only  enlarges  his  own  enjoyments,   but  diffufcs 

;iround  him  the  mofi joyous  influences,  and  promotes 


AN  ESSAY,  *c.  ijt 

ihe  welfare  of  the  whole  human  race  ;  that,  though 
retired  from  public  view,  he  appears  in  the  ufeful 
produ(flions  of  his  application  and  genius  ;  that,  though 
infirm  in  body,  he  renders,  by  his  inventions,  the  labor 
of  the  ftrong  and  hardy  both  more  eafy  to  themfelves, 
and  more  beneficial  to  others ;  and  that,  though  de- 
void of  public  authority,  he  ftrengthens  the  political 
mnion,  and  advances  public  order  by  the  juft  princi- 
ples which  he  eftabiifhes  and  elucidates  ;  that,  taking 
another  view  of  the  cafe,  though  ignorant  and  illiterate, 
yet  he  contributes,  by  his  toil  and  dexterity,  to  the  in- 
(Irudion  and  improvement  of  mankind,  while  he  pro- 
vides fuftenance  and  leifure  for  thofe  who  are  endowed 
with  genius  and  learning,  or  placed  in  thofe  ftations 
where  plans  of  general  welfare  can  be  bed  conceived, 
and  propofed  with  the  greateft.  profpe<fts  of  fuccefs  ? 
In  fine  it  is  an  exalting  confideration,  that,  however 
obfcure  a  perfon  is  in  himfelf,  he  is  an  inftrument  in 
tlie  hand  of  Providence  for  communicating  to  mankind, 
not  only  the  neceffaries  of  life,  but  alfo  its  higheft  or- 
naments and  delights,  and  even  of  raifing  their  views 
above  this  terrellrial  abode,  and  direding  them  to  a 
ftate  of  endlefs  felicity,  the  certainty  of  which  cannot 
fail  to  produce  the  moft  falutary  effedts  on  every  part  of 
their  condu<fl:.  No  perfon  is  fo  mean  and  infignificant, 
as  not  to  affe<ft  fome  part  of  the  community.  In  a 
grand  piece  of  machinery,  theTmaller  wheels  and  pins, 
though  lefs  obfervable,  are  not  on  that  account  lefs 
neceffary  than  others  to  the  juft  motion  and  efFe(ft  of 
the  whole.  In  like  manner,  the  condu(5l  of  the  infe- 
rior members  of  fociety  not  only  affeds  their  own  hap- 
pinefs,  or  that  of  their  immediate  connexions,  but  dif- 
fufes  its  influence,  though  in  a  lefs  perceptible  manner 
than  that  of  the  higher  ranks,  through  the  whole  io^ 


13*  AN  ESSAY,  &». 


cial  body.  Nay,  I  may  afTert  that,  as  thefe  compofe 
tlie  greater  part  of  the  community,  their  ufeful  induf- 
try  Is  ftill  more  requilite  to  the  general  happinefs  ;  and 
that  the  meaneft  laborer,  who  diligently  and  honeftly 
exerts  himfelf  in  his  fphere,  is  entitled  to  fhare,  with 
the  moll  exalted  of  the  fons  of  men,  the  glorious  ap- 
pellation of  the  friend  of  mankind,  and  of  the  appro  - 
ved  of  God  !  Should  any  whom  fortune  deprefled,  or 
infolence  laughs  to  fcorn,  butwhofe  foul,  rifmg  above 
his  fituation,  feels  the  intrinfic  dignity  of  man,  and  la- 
ments the  narrownefs  of  his  terreftr-al  fphere,  caft  his 
eye  on  thefe  pages,  let  him  be  comforted  and  ftrength- 
ened  by  the  reflections  above  mentioned.  There  is 
fomething  in  the  idea  that  exalts  the  mind,  that  kindles 
the  defireofufefulnefs,  that  roufes  a<51ivity,  and  puts 
every  faculty  in  motion.  When  we  confider  it,  we 
feem  defirous  of  breaking  the  inglorious  chains  of  in- 
dolence, and  pant  for  fome  worthy  obje<ft,  fome  impor- 
tant purfuit,  to  exercife  the  generous  energies  of 
the  foul ! 

If  the  confideratlon  of  the  importance  of  the  mean- 
eft  member  of  fociety  (hould  prove  a  ftrong  argument 
to  ufeful  diligence,  how  much  greater  force  muft  this 
argument  acquire  with  regard  to  thofe  whom  fortune 
and  rank  particularly  diftinguifh.  Their  influence, 
whether  good  or  bad,  is  very  extenfive.  Firft  commu- 
nicated to  numerous  connections  and  dependants,  it  is 
conveyed  through  them  to  other  contiguous  relations, 
till  it  reach  at  laft  the  extremities  of  the  fecial  fyftem. 
.Were  this  influence  always  of  a  beneficial  nature,  foci- 
ety w^ould  feel  its  falutary  efFe<5ls  through  all  its  frame, 
and,  inftea'd  of  that  diftempered  and  deformed  face 
which  it  fo  frequently  wears,  would  affumc  the  moft 


AN  ESSAY,  &c,  13$ 

healthy  and  ftniling  afped.  The  face  of  nature,  long 
hid  in  fog,  or  ravaged  by  tempefts,  receives  not  a  more 
delightful  transformation  from  the  returning  fun,  thart 
fociety  would  receive  from  thofe  benignant  lights  which 
thus  illumined  and  invigorated  it. 

In  what  light,  then,  muft  thofe  perfons  appear,  who* 
becaufe  their  external  circumftances  free  them  from 
the  nee effity  of  laboring  for  their  fubfiftence,  imagine 
themfelves  exempted  from  every  fpecies  of  ufeful  ex- 
ertion ;  who,  becaufe  they  are  provided  with  the  a* 
bundant  fupply  of  every  corporeal  want,  think  them- 
felves under  no  obligation  to  improve  their  minds,  01: 
to  engage  in  any  purfuit  conducive  to  the  common 
welfare  ;  who  either  yawn  away  their  time  in  the 
mod  letliargic  indolence,  or  devote  it  to  the  mod  in- 
fignificant,  frivolous,  or  vicious  enjoyments  ;  who 
wafte  ingenuity  in  mere  oftentation,  degrade  reafon  to 
purvey  for  appetite,  and  make  recreation  their  ftudy, 
and  amufement  their  bufniefs — in  a  word,  whofc 
whole  life  is  either  a  blank,  or  a  perverfion  of  exift- 
ence.  The  phantom  of  pleafure,  like  an  ignis  fatuusy 
inftantly  difappears,  when  they  think  tliey  can  feize  it. 
The  fame  infipid  round  is  run  over  a  thoufand  times. 
The  fenfes  are  jaded,  the  appetites  cloyed.  Tired  ac 
!aft  with  the  tedious  puifuit,  thofe  votaries  of  pleafure, 
like  the  top  that  has  long  been  lafhed,  doze  in  the  arms 
of  indolence.  When  they  awake  at  times  from  iheir 
infenfibility,  their  minds  are  haunted  with  all  the 
chimeras,  all  the  monfters  of  vapour  and  fpleen,  which 
often  drive  them  to  burft,  by  death,  the  ponderous 
fetters  with  which  they  are  loaded. 

I  will  not  afTert,  that  all  who  live  in  this  njanncr 
M 


134  AN  ESSAY,  &c. 


are  fenfible  of  the  criminality  of  their  conduft,  and 
perceive  that,  however  averfe  from  injuftice,  breach  of 
truft,  and  crueJty  in  their  dealings  with  particular  per- 
ibns,  they  yet  involve  themfelves,  by  this  negative 
vice,  this  negledt  of  the  due  improvement  of  their  ta- 
lents and  opportunities  in  thefe  crimes  with  refpeft  to 
their  fpecies  ingcneral.  No  ;  I  am  convinced  that, 
if  they  clearly  perceived  the  tendency  of  their  conduifl, 
many  of  them,  at  leaft,  would  review  it  with  forrow 
and  difguft.  Ignorance,  and  wrong  habits  contracted 
in  early  life,  more  than  any  vicious  difpofition,  are  the 
caufes  of  a  courfe  of  adionfo  Jifgraceful  and  unhappy 
to  themfelves,  andfo  detrimental  tofociety. 

This  reflefllon,  however,  if  it  diminifh  their  crimi- 
nality, augments  the  folly  of  negleding  to  cultivate 
thofe  rational  faculties,  which  would  afford  them  juft 
notions  of  their  duty,  and  diiciofe  an  elevated  region 
of  purfuit  and  happinefs.  For,  if  they  rightly  ap- 
prehended the  relation  in  which  all  the  members  of  fo- 
ciety  ftand  to  each  other,  they  would  perceive  that  it 
is  not  only  the  rapacious  invader,  or  the  fecret  purloin- 
er,  of  property,  who  muft  be  reputed  injurious,  but 
alfo  the  indolent  and  the  diffipated,  who  deprives  his 
fellow  men  of  any  benefit  which  he  is  called  to  beftow. 
They  would  fee  that  they  are  under  obligation^  not 
only  to  abftain  from  pofitive  violations  of  juftice,  but 
alfoto  difcharge  many  duties  of  diftinguifhed  utility  to 
mankind.  To  thefe  they  would  acknowledge  them- 
felves particularly  called  by  the  appointment  of  Hea- 
ven. Relieved  from  the  necefllty  of  providing  for 
their  corporeal  wants,  their  minds  are  furnifhed  with 
greater  freedom  for  the  exercife  of  its  nobler  powers, 
and  with  a  more  extenfive  range  for  the  difcovery  an4 


AN  ESSAY,  &c.  135 

profecution  of  fchemcs  of  public  good.  And  as  thofe 
clouds  tliat  obfcure  their  underftanding  began  to  re- 
im)ve,  an  hundred  untail:ed  fprings  of  felicity  would 
©pen  on  their  hearts.  For,  if  every  perfon  of  fortune 
and  rank  employed  his  moft  adive  endeavors  to  excite 
and  maintain  a  fpirit  of  induftry  and  virtue  among  his 
dependants,  his  neighbors,  and  fellow-citizens,  he 
would  find  his  time  and  attention  fo  happily  engaged, 
that  he  would  furvey  with  contempt  his  former  plea- 
fures  ;  he  would  feem  to  breathe  a  purer  air,  and  to 
live  in  a  region  of  perpetual  funfhine,  while  the  va- 
pours of  low  ambition  and  of  fenfual  indulgence  rol- 
led below  his  feet  1 

Man^an  only  be  happy  in  as  far  as  his  powers  are  duly 
exercifed  ;  and  thofe  powers,  which  are  the  mod  elevated 
and  capacious,  afford  the  greateft  fum  of felj^ity.  The 
fame  means,  therefore,  which  render  any  man  moft  highly 
beneficial  to  others, alfo  increafe  the  fum  of  Ws  own  en» 
:oyments,  and  fuperadd  to  them  that  mod  delightful  of 
all  fatisfakftions — the  confcioufnefs  of  having  difcharged, 
to  the  utmoft  of  his  power,  his  duty  as  a  member  of  the 
community,  and  fulfilled  the  intention  of  his  Creator  in 
fending  him  into  the  world.  The  negledt  of  the  due 
improvement  of  any  power,  or  of  any  opportunity  of 
honorable  adion,  detrads  juft  fo  much  from  perfonal 
enjoyment.  As  want  of  circulation  corrupts  the  air, 
and  ftagnatlon  the  water,  fo,  indolence  fuperinduces 
a  torpor  on  the  mind,  which  unfits  it  even  for  the  more 
refine  d  pleafures  of  fenfe,  and  deprives  it  of  that  great 
fweetener  of  every  enjoyment,  the  refle<5lion  that  it  is 
the  produce  of  our  own  exertions,  and  natural  recom- 
pence  of  merit.  With  regard  to  diftinclion,  acquired 
by  fuccefsful  exertions  of  abilities^  it  is  certain,  that 


136  AN  ESSAY,  ftc. 

the  fame  obligation  which  dsmanicd  the  firft  difpla^ 
of  them,  requires  their  continuance  while  any   benefit 
can  thence  refult  to  mankind,   and  their  poflefTors   are 
able  to  confer  it.     He  who  has   already   exerted  pow- 
ers, by  which  the  aggregate  of  common  good  has  beett^ 
increafed,  has  pledged  himfelf  to    a    courfe  of  diftin- 
guifhed  utility,  and,  if  he  relaxes  or   ceafes  his   efforts, 
while  his  faculties  are  ftill    vigorous,  is  more   culpable 
than  if  he  had  never  entered  on  the  honorable  career  ; 
becaufe  praflice  procures  facility,  and  fuccefs   fhould 
animate  to  frefh  enterprife.     If  felfiOi  ambition  (hould, 
as  is  in  this  cafe  moft  probable,  be  the   fole   motive  to 
adiion,  let  it  be  confidered,  that  it  is  perhaps  more  diffi- 
cult to  preferve  than  purchafe  reputation  ancr  homage. 
The  enfigns  of  honor  attra<^  the  public  eye  ;  elevation 
places    men    in    a    more    confpicuous    light,    where 
every  defi^t,  a<;  well  as  every  virtue,    is   more   clearly 
dlfcerned,  and  more  nicely  fcrutinized.  If  thofe,  there- 
fore, who  are  thus  diftinguifhed,  are  not  able  to   fup- 
port  their  fituation  with    dignity,   their    difgrace   wilf, 
from   the    difappointed  expefiations   of  mankind,   be 
more  humiliating,  and  the  contempt  which  they  incur 
more  general.     Envy  will  magnify  every  fault,  anni- 
hilate every   virtue,   and  lafh    them  with  the   laurels 
which  fhe  has   torn  from  their  brows.      Happy   for 
themfelves  and  happy  for   the   world,   whofe  interefts 
are  always  hurt  by  the   degradation  of  merit,   if  they 
kdd  never  rifen  above  the  vulgar  level  i 


AN  ESSAY,  Sec.  137 


C  K  x\  P  T  E  R    VII. 

CONCLUSION. 


f^  I  ^HE  view  of  fociety,  and  of  the  principles  oa 
\.  which  it  is  founded,  difclofed  in  this  EiTay,  evin- 
ces the  obligation  of  all  its  members,  of  whatever  rank 
or  defcription,  to  contribute  tkeir  moft  active  and  hon- 
eil  endeavors  for  the  common  good.  Indeed  this 
obligation  is  fufficiently  inculcated  on  the  lower  claffcs, 
by  the  neceffity  of  laboring  for  their  daily  fubfiftence, 
and  by  the  dreadful  confequences  which  idlenefs  produ- 
ces to  them  and  their  families.  With  regard  to  thefe, 
it  is,  therefore,  lefs  necelTary  to  unfold  the  full  force  of 
this  obligation,  than  v/ith  refpe^t  to  thofe  whofe  eaf/ 
circumll:ances,^feeming  to  render  them  independent  o 
their  fellow  men,  feem  alfo  to  exempt  them  from  every 
debt  beyond  the  limits  of  ftrift  juftice.  This  independ- 
-ence  we  have  feewn  to  be  purely  imaginary,  and  utter- 
ly incempatible  with  the  principles  of  focial  union. 
The  chain  of  dependance  runs  equally  through  all  ihc 
orders  of  fociety,  and  binds  every  individual  in  thefe 
orders.  While  it  excludes  the  extravagant  claims  et 
felf  love,  and  fubjeds  m^w  to  more  generous  and  falu, 
tary  principles,  it  eftabliihes  at  the  fame  time  a  fyflfim 
which,  if  univerfally  obferved,  would  fully  fecure  the 
moft  ciTential  interefts  of  each  individual,  by  fettling 
them  on  the  broad  and  immoveable  bafis  of  genera* 
w^elfere.  For,  did  the  rich  employ  their  wealth  r^fbp- 
pl  J  the  wants  of  the  poor;  the  poor,  thsii'  labor  to 
Viz 


13^  AN  ESSAY,  8cc. 


adminill^r  to  the  eafe  and  convenience  of  the  rich  ;  the 
great,  their  power  and  authority  to  protcft  the  weak 
and  dcfencelefs  ;  the  wife,  the  ingenious,  and  the  learn- 
ed, their  abilities  to  infi:ru6l  and  counfel  the  ignorant 
and  illiterate  ;  did  every  one,  in  fiiort,  impart  to  his 
fellow  men  a  portion  of  the  fruits  of  his  talents  and 
advantages  ;  it  is  impoflible  that  any  fhould  repine  at 
another's  poffeirmg  what  was  employed  for  his  own 
benefit,  nay,  was  m^de  more  fubfervient  to  his  ufe, 
tl;:m  if  he  himfelf  were  the  proprietor.  For  no  indi- 
vidual could  fo  perfe(fl;ly  cultivate  all  the  different  tal- 
^^ats,  nece/Iury  for  hisfupport  and  welfare,  which  are 
ciitributed  among  the  fpecies,  and,  while  fome  particu- 
Jar  one  is  allotted  to  each,  are  all  carried  to  the  higheft 
'ruprovement  of  which  tiiey  are  fufceptible. 

Thus,  the  principles  of  equality  v/hich  we  have  ef^ 
-^hViOitd,  at  the  fame  time  ttat  they  reprefs  the  info* 
ienct  ef  pride,  the  outrages  of  oppreflion,  and  the  diffi' 
pation  of  fenfuality,  confirm,  neverthelefs,  the  necef- 
fity  of  fubordination,  and  the  juft  demiands  of  lawful 
v.u  hority.  They  maintain  inviolate  every  natural  and 
every  civil  diftindion,  draw  more  clofely  every  fecial 
iie,  and  unite  all  in  one  harmonious  and  juftly  pro- 
portioned fyftem,  -which  brings  men  together  on,,the 
•jven  giound  of  the  inherent  rights  of  human  nature, 
ef  reciprocal  obligation,  and  of  <a  common  relation  to 
lie  .ccmmunity.  Yet,  for  the  maintenance  of  this 
4  .^aiity  itfelf,  they  feparate  them  into  different  claifes, 
iiiv.-i^iuveiVlhem  with  different  capacities  and  offices. 
Thiii.  are  the  poor  and  the  mean  reconciled  to  their 
v^rcumH^nces,  or  comforted  under  them — the  opulent 
^u^  iliQ  pov»-&:ful  are  ej:cit€d  to  beneficence  and  ccnde- 
V-..  oiiioii :  ihe  ingenious  and  acute  are   dire<^€d   to  the 


AN  ESSAY,  3cc.  139 


Veft  ufe  of  their  abilities  ;  and  all  are  linked  together 
by  the  powerful  ties  of  common  interells,  and  of  re- 
ciprocal duty.  Happy  thofe,  whofe  fouls  are  capable 
of  rifing  to  fuch  enlarged  view's  of  things,  and  are  ani- 
mated by  them  to  a  conduifl  worthy  of  human  nature, 
worthy  of  Chriftianity,  which  reprefents  men  to  each 
other  as  children  of  one  parent,  as  members  of  one  fami- 
ly, as  journeying  together  through  the  chequered  fcenes 
of  this  tranfitory  world,  towards  a  region  where  all 
the  diilinftions  of  poverty  and  riches,  of  obfcurity  and 
fplendor,  of  power  and  meannefs,  fliall  ceafe,  every 
■inequality  difappear  ;  where  virtue  alone  fliall  be  ex- 
alted, and  vice  degraded  forever ! 

It  muft,  indeed,  he  acknowledged,  that  this  theory 
35  too  pure  ar.d  exalted  to  admit  of  a  complete  confor- 
mity of  practice.  But  man  is  qualified  for  endlcfs  im- 
provements in  knowledge  and  virtue,  and  the  happinefs 
which  he  attains  will  exad-ly  correfpond  to  the  degrees 
of  his  progrefs.  In  every  art  and  fcience  there  is  an 
ideal  model,  which  can  never  be  reached  even  by  the 
moft  exa<5l  and  beautiful  execution.  What  Cicero  ob- 
ferves  with  regard  to  a  perfedl  orator,  that  he  had  ne- 
ver feen  any  fpeaker  tliat  could  come  up  to  his  notions 
of  eloquence,  is  not  lirmted  to  that  art,  but  is  equally 
applicable  to  every  other.  It  is,  however,  to  be  obfer- 
ved,  that  even  the  excellence  which  is  attained,  is  whol- 
ly referable  to  the  pcrfe6l  ftandard  previoufly  eiiirtiHg 
in  tlie  artifts  mind.  In  proportion,  therefore,  as  clear 
and  elevated  ideas  of -excellence  are  entertained  in  re- 
ligion, in  morality,  and  in  politics,  and  a<5lion  is  direc- 
ted by  thefe,  human  condu<5t  and  happinefs  will  be  im- 
proved and  exalted.  If,  on  the  other  hand,  low  and 
^rovellin^  fiandnrds  are  adopted,  and  principles  are  re* 


140  AN  1?SSAY,  *:<:. 

gulate(i  by  eftabliflied  praflrce,  not  pradice  reformed 
by  the  genuine  principles  of  natur6,  mankind  t^'ill  cort- 
tiniie  to  tread  in  the  old  and  muddy  path,  and  the  prd- 
grefs  of  the  world  will  be  marked  with  degeneiac]^ 
and  degradation. 

It  is  the  conftant  objedion  of  thofe,  T^-ho  afe  eithet 
aveiTe  from  improvement,  or  too  indolent  and  too  tJ- 
mid  to  begin  or  advance  it,  that  the  perfection  aimed.at 
is  too  high  for  human  nature.  They  thus  employ  the 
exiftence  of  abufes  and  errors  as  a  reafon  for  perpetua- 
ting them.  But  if  the  fame  reaJbning  had  always  been 
confidered  as  juft,  mankind  w^culd,  at  this  day,  dwell  in 
caves,  feed  upon  acorns,  fall  dov/n  before  the  works  of 
thtir  own  hands,  and  be  bound  in  the  heavy  chain  of 
Heathen  ignorance  and  fuperliition.  The  inftitut'ons" 
and  refinements  of  civil  fociety  muft  appear  to  a  fa; 
vage  as  extravagant  and  impracticable,  as  the  fineft 
theory  of  moral  feniiment  and  adion  appears  to  thofc 
wiiofe  fouls  are  immerfed  in  fenfuality,  or  fettered  by 
felf-intereft.  The  queftion  is  not,  what  is  the  prefent 
practice  of  mankind,  but  what  tliey"  are  qualified  ulti- 
mately to  attain  ;  not  how  far  any  theory  is  confor- 
mable to  the  prefenr  ftate  of  things,  but  how  far  it  is 
founded  in  nature,  adapted  to  the  hiiman  faculties,  and 
conducive  to  human  felicity. 

If  the  principles  illuftrated  in  this  Eifay  fhould  be 
devoid  of  every  other  recommendation,  they  have  at 
leaft,  that  which  is  no  inconfidcrable  one,  of  being  con- 
formable to  the  doctrines  of  Chriltianity*.  For,  al- 
though feme  philofophersj  who  have  pretended  £reat 

*  Jloaaarv!^  sii.  3j  4,  5,  6,  7.     aft  Ccr.  xu. 


AN  ESSAY,  «cc.  141 

ztal  for  ths  rights  and  the  happinefs  of  mankind,  have 
manifefted,  at  the  fame  time,  a  ftrange  antipathy  to 
erery  kind  of  religion,  and  particularly  to  the  Chrif. 
tian,  it  will  be  found,  by  every  impartial  inquirer,  that 
the  religion  of  Jefus  Chrift  inculcates  and  fandions 
every  principle  on  which  public  and  private  happinefs 
can  be  built.  It  is  true  that  Chriftianity  has  frequent. 
ly  been  raoft  fhamefully  corrupted,  and,  in  that  cor- 
rupted form,  produced  the  mod  dreadful  calamities. 
But,  to  explode  Chriftianity  on  this  account,  is  juft  as 
fenfible  as  to  forbid  mankind  the  ufe  of  water,  air,  or 
fire,  becaufe  thefe  elements  have  often  been  the  vehi, 
cles  ofdeftrudion.  Whoever  attempts  to  ereft  any 
fyftem  of  policy  to  the  exclufion  of  religion,  betrays 
great  ignorance  of  human  nature,  and  great  indiffer- 
ence for  human  happinefs.  Man  is  a  leligious  crea- 
ture,  and  is  drawn  to  his  Creator  by  all  the  principles  of 
Lis  conftitution—by  the  fenfe  of  his  imbecility,  by  con- 
fcience,  by  gratitude  and  admiration,  and  by  his  reafon 
when  duly  improved.  The  grand  requifite,  then,  is  to 
procure  for  him  a  religloa  pure,  (imple,  beneficent,  and 
confolotary.  This  will  be  found  only  in  the  reli- 
gion of  Jefus  Chirft,  as  is  exhibited  in  th5  facred  wri- 
tings. Here  the  moft  perfefl  ftandard  of  duty  is  erec- 
ted, in  order  to  engage  man  to  an  endlefs  progrcfs  in 
virtue  ;  a  fufficient  remedy  is  provided  for  his  devia- 
tions from  it,  when  accompanied  with  penitence  ;  the 
moft  glorious  rewards  are  offered  to  his  perfevering 
endeavors  ;  and  the  ftrongeft  fuccours  are  provided  for 
his  weaknefs.  Such  a  religion  powerfully  ftrengthens 
every  focial  and  civil  obligation,  and  prepares  mea 
for  hosLVQUf  by  readering  them  ufeful  on  earth. 


CONTENTS. 


BOOK     I. 

Page. 

/;;  fwhat  Sstife  may  all  Men  hefaidto  he  Equal?  9 

C  H  x^  P  T  E  R     I. 

Of  Natural  Diverfities  among  Men.  ib. 

CHAPTER     II, 

Of  the  Diftribution  of  Human  Abilities  and  Talents.  20 

CHAPTER     III. 
Of  the  Mutual  Dep^n3anee  of  Mankind.  24 

C  H  A  P  T  E    R     IV. 
Final  Caufes  of  the  Vari-ty  of  Human  Talents.  33 

CHAPTER      V. 
The  juft  Notioa  of  the  Natural  Equality  of    Men 
is  placed  in  Equality  of  Obligation, — The  proper 
Tendency  of  this  Doctrine.  36 

C  H  A  P  T  E  R     VL 
Some  Circumftanees  of  Equality  not  yet  coufidered.  43 


BOOK     II. 

What  are   the  Rights    refidting    from   the  Natural 

Equality  of  Men  ?  SZ 

CHAPTER     I. 
Of  the  Manner  in  which  v/e  acquire  our  Notion  of 
Rights.  ib? 

CHAPTER     II. 
The  two  Grand   Divifions  of   Rio^hts  which   flow 
from  the  Natural  Equality  of  Mankind.  5^ 

CHAPTER      III. 
Of  the  Original  ^^d  Inherent   Rights  of  Human 
Nature.  5f 


CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    IV. 
The  fame  fubje<5l  continued.  gj 

CHAPTER     V. 

That  It  is  the  Intereft  of  Government,  to   prefcrve 
inviolate  the  Rights   of  Liberty,    as   above  ex- 
plained, •^•y 
C  H  A  P  T  E  R    VI. 
Of  Rights  peculiar  to  certain  Stations  and  Abilities.  8« 

CHAPTER     VII. 
General  inferences  from  the  whole  of  this  Book.       85 


BOOK      III. 

What  an  the  Duties   refulting  from  the  Equality   of 

Mankind.  87 

C  H  A  P  T  E  R    I. 
Preliminary  Obfervations.  ib. 

CHAPTER    II. 
All  Men  equally  bound  to    Refpe<5l  the  Primitive 
Rights  of  Human  Nature.  8^ 

CHAPTER     III. 
The  Duties  of  thofe  who  are  placed  in  the  Inferior 
Stations  of  Life,  or  endowed  with  Inferior  Capa- 
cities and  Powers.  10 1 
CHAPTER     IV. 
Cautions  to  be  obferved  in  the  Purfuit  of  a  Higher 
and  more  Flourifhing  Condition.  no 
CHAPTER     V. 
The  Duties  of  thofe^laced  in  the  Higher  Ranks  of 
Life,  and  endowed  with  Dlllinguifhed  Abilities.  1 15 
CHAPTER    VI. 
Duties  common  to  All,  with  regard  to  the  Ufe  of 
their  Opportunities  and  Talents.                            127 
CHAPTER    VIL 
CoacluQoiiu                                                        137 


'WW 


